Girl In The Greenhouse

It's stores like Anthropologie that get us going. You walk in the door or look at those catalogue images and get that feeling of inspiration and excitement and you just want to buy it all.

I even love the online version of the Anthropologie store and the image shots set in exotic places. They do it all so well.

These are some of my favourite images from two of this year's collections. I want a greenhouse and I want a bed in my greenhouse.

Here Comes Santa Claus

This card was created for Winter Wonderland Christmas Sweeties! and Secret Crafter No Patterned Paper.  My first thought for Christmas Sweeties was actually Halloween Candy , the trick was to make a sweetie card with no patterned paper.  Then I remembered I had  a Sizzix Decorative Strip Candy die which I knew would be ideal for both challenges. 

To create this card I used Stamps: Magnolia Santa Hug.  Vap Scrap Candy Cane.  Cardstock: White hammered, white glitter, red glitter.  Papers: Red paper.  Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black.  Colouring: Copic markers Skin E000/E00/E11,R20.  Beard C1.  Clothes and Background R24/R29.  Boots E25/E35.  Sakura gel pen Stardust 744, medium 50.  Dies: Sizzix Decorative Strip Candy.  Punch: Martha Stewart Scallop Dot.

Hints and Tips

If you don't have a DP to match your project stamp your own.  Smaller stamps tend to make the best background patterns.

Fairy Lights

This card was created for Susie & Vikki's Christmas Club.  Challenge #18 Anything Christmas.  I decided to use my Kars Ollyfant Christmas stamps because they are one of my favourite sets. 

To create this card I used Stamps: Kars Ollyfant Christmas.  Artemio Christmas.  Cardstock: White hammered, dark green.  Papers: DP K&Company Seasonal paper.  Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black.  Colouring: Copic markers Skin E000/E00/E11/R20, Hair E35/E29/E25.  Tree background B00/B21/B23/B24/G82/G40/C1.  Derwent Inktense watercolour pencils.  Sakura gel pens Glaze 830/822/836/821/829, Stardust 725.  Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels four.  Embellishments: Blue glitter, blue organza ribbon, gift brad, jump rings.

Hints and Tips

When using the Sakura glaze gel pens it is a good idea to scribble on a piece of scrap paper to get the ink running smoothly because some times the ink dries on the nib.

Flower Fairies

This card was created for One Stop Craft Challenge.  Challenge 81 Birthstones.  I decided on a Sapphire for a September birthday.

To create this card I used Stamps: Magnolia Mini Fairy Tilda, Two Tulips.  Cardstock: White hammered, metallic blue.  Papers: DP Papermania Henbury Lane.  Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black.  Colouring: Copic markers E000, E00, E11, R20, E31, Y23, BG000, B00, B21, B23, B24.  Papermania blue shimmer chalk.  Dies: Nellies Oval Multi Frames.  Embellishments: Deco Art Glamour Dust Crystal.  Green beading wire, small blue beads.

Hints and Tips

A good way to apply glitter is to use a Sakura Quickie glue pen and ultra fine glitter.  This dries instantly if you are impatient like me and do not want to wait for it to dry.

A Beach View

This week I have been distracted by entertaining friends and 18 energetic 3-8 year olds gathered for a birthday party at our Lighthouse beach house. After days of patchy rain the sun came out, the sea was sparkling and someone even spotted an whale swimming by, the first of the season!

Even though I was stressed out baking mini sausage rolls and quiches and filling up princess party cups, I couldn't help but feel how lucky we were to have that view.

It was a time to stop and just be in awe of the beauty of a deserted beach and the sound of the surf. The boys were barbequeing on the back deck and enjoying the views across the river to the navy air base in the distance.

The aerial shot shows how we are surrounded by water views here.

Polka Dot Bikini

This card was created for Penny Black Saturday Challenge.  Week 102 Lots of Dots.  I wanted to use the Beach Day stamps so I decided on a polka dot bikini but it does not have dots on it so I used the Pointelle stamp to add dots to the costume. 

To create this card I used Stamps: Penny Black Pointelle, Beach Day.  Cardstock: White hammered, yellow, blue.  Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Lady Bug, Danube Blue, Desert Sand, Bahama Blue.  Colourings: Copic markers E000, E00, E11, R20, E35, E29, BG000, B24, E43, G40, G82, B00.  Derwent Inktense watercolour pencils.  Sakura gel pens Glaze #800, #822, #803, #838.  Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities Standard Circle Large.  Punches: Woodware circles. 

Hints and Tips

If you don't have a DP to match your theme make your own.  This one was created by stamping the Pointelle onto white card and punching circles out of it.  The circles where then glued onto a complementary colour of card stock.

Not Another Footie Card

This card was created for the Allsorts Challenge Blog.  Week 53  Tag/label.  I thought rather than just put my tag on a card, I would make a background with the tags.  I also thought seeing as everything is going to go football crazy I might as well make the card for boy. 

To create this card I used Stamps: Nutshells Al.  Carstock: White hammered, green.  Papers: DP Papermania It's a Man's World. Green.  Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black.  Colouring: Copic markers E000, E00, E11, R20, E25, E35, E29.  Punches: Woodware Tags.  Fiskars border punch.  Embellishments: Football peel offs.

Hints and Tips

If you don't have peel offs in the colours you want, colour over them with a permenant marker in the colour of your choice.

Sunshine and Sandcastles

Hi hope you all had a wonderful sunny weekend.  All this sunshine inspired me to make lovely summer cards hope you like them.  This card was created for Just Magnolia Challenge.  Week 56 Jane's sketch. 

To create this card I used Stamps: Magnolia Tilda with Swimsuit, Sandcastle.  Cardstock: White hammered, blue, red, beige.  Papers: DP Doodlebug Designs Inc. 4th July.  Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Desert Sand, Summer Sky, Bahama Blue.  Colouring: Copic markers E000, E00, E11, R20, YR23, Y23, E35, E31.  Derwent Inktense watercolour pencils.  Sakura gel pens Stardust #700, #738, Glaze #800.  Papermania blue shimmer chalk.  Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities Petite Ovals Large.  Sizzix Textured Impressions Summer Fun.  Embellishments: Papermania adhesive gems, brads.  Hot off the Press Fold it Ribbon Swirls template.

Hints and Tips

To make the windmill I used Hot off the Press Ribbon Swirls template.  I used paper to match the background and coloured the white side with Memento ink.  I assembled the swirl and attached it to a cocktail stick.

Ice Skating

It feels really strange sat in the garden in the lovely sunshine making a snowy themed card. This card was created for Winter Wonderland.  A sketch challenge.  So you can go anywhere you want with this type of challenge so I used my Kars Ollyfant Winter Skates stamp set because it is one of my favourites.
 

To create this card I used Stamps: Kars Ollyfant Winter Skates.  Cardstock: White hammered, navy blue, white glittered.  Papers: DP Doodlebug Designs Inc. Winter assortment.  Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black.  Colouring: Copic markers E000, E00, E11, R20, E25, E29, E31.  Derwent Inktense watercolour pencils.  Sakura gel pens Stardust #744, Souffle #950, Glaze #850.  Papermania blue shimmer chalk.  Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities Standard Circle Large.  Cuttlebug Snowflakes.  Embellishments: Deco Art Glamour Dust crystal.  Anita's peel off border. 

Hints and Tips

One of my favourite ways to create a snow effect is to colour the snow in with a Sakura White Souffle pen and while it is still wet add glitter to it, so there is no need for glue and it dries very quickly.

Tash Feeling Spotty

Hi the Sunshine has finally arrived yay, I will have to go out into the garden to mow the lawn this afternoon.   This card was created for Nutshells.  Challenge #16 is to use polka dots or stripes or both!  I was very pleased with this challenge because I was looking for an excuse to use my new DP papers by Wild Rose Studio Polka Dots talk about luck. 

To create this card I used Stamps: Nutshells Tash, Boutique.  Papermania Snag 'em duo handbag.  Cardstock: White hammered, pink, green.  Papers: DP Wild Rose Studio Polka Dots, pink.  Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black.  Colouring: Copic markers E000, E00, E11, R20, E35, YR23, Y23, C1, C3, BG000, YG25.  Derwent Inktense watercolour pencils.  Sakura Stardust gel pens #700, #744, #749.  Sakura Glaze gel pens #830.  Grey shimmer chalk.  Embellishments: Anita's green ribbon, silver bag charm, 3 jump rings, Papermania adhesive stones.

Hints and Tips

I used the large polka dot paper for the background and the small polka dot paper for the images this pulls the theme together and also gives it a sense of perspective. 

Tilda with Puppy

Hello again this is my 2nd posting for today.  This card was created for A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge.  Challenge 104  Cute & Girly.  I instantly thought Magnolia's Tilda because they are all so cute, so I chose Tilda with Puppy.  I didn't want to use pink so I thought I'd go for lilac for a change. 

To create this card I used Stamps: Magnolia Tilda with Puppy, Blooming Flowers.  Cardstock: White hammered, lilac, dark purple.  Papers:  DP Papermania Henbury Lane, lilac mulberry.  Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Lulu Lavender.  Ink it up clear pigment ink. Colouring: Copic markers E000, E00, E11, R20, E35, YR23, Y23, E31.  Derwent Inktense watercolour pencils.  Sakura Stardust gel pen #700, #744, Glaze gel pen #800.  Papermania blue shimmer chalk.  Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities Petite ovals large.  Punches: Woodware flower.  Tonic Studio multi butterfly.  Embellishments: Double sided tape, Deco Art Glamour dust crystal, Stampendous Stamp n Bond,  yellow fun flock, brass brads, Papermania adhesive stones.

Hints and Tips

Thin double sided tape is a good way of adding a strip of glitter to your card.  Add glitter to your DP papers it makes them look more expensive.  To make brads to match the flowers on my card, I used plain brass brads covered them in pigment ink, dipped them into the Stamp N Bond and then into the yellow flock.

Gothic Dreams

Hi don't know where the sun has gone, I was hoping to sit out in it this afternoon.  This card was created for Die Cut Dreams Challenge Blog.  Challenge #48 Lace it up (Use lace in your creation).  Last time I used lace was when Jenny was a baby (she's 15 now), I use to make all her dresses and make matching frilly knickers. Hope she is not reading this in school now with her friends or I'll be in trouble.  Any way I decided to buy a piece of lace just for the occasion I didn't want to make a really girly card so I bought red and black lace. 

To create this card I used Stamps: The Greetings Farm Thursday.  Cardstock: White hammered, red, black.  Papers: DP Doodlebug Designs Inc. Halloween assorted. red, black.  Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Rhubarb Stalk.  Colouring: Copic Markers E000, E00, E11, E29, E25, E31.  Derwent Inktense watercolour pencils.  Sakura stardust pen #744.  Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities Small Deckled Rectangles.  Punches: Woodware flower, blink.  L-Em stamen.  Embellishments: 2 small buttons, red and black lace, Papermania brads.

Hints and Tips

If you don't have buttons to match the colour of your project, just colour them in with a permenant marker in the colour of your choice in my case red.

Singing Al

This is my second posting today.  This card was created for Allsorts Challenge Blog.  Week 52 Birthdays. I thought I should make a birthday card for a boy because it is so much easier making cards for girls.  I used a lovely stamp by Nutshells called Singing Al, it reminds me of my son Michael so I coloured it in, in colours similar to what Michael wears.

To create this card I used Stamps: Nutshells Singing Al.  Inkadinkado Rockstar.  Anita's Happy Birthday.  Cardstock: White hammered, brown.  Papers: DP Dovecraft Masculine, orange, gold.  Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black.  Versamark Watermark.  Colouring: Copic markers E000, E00, E11, R20, E25, E29.  Derwent Inktense watercolour pencils.  Sakura gel pen Stardust #700.  Dies: Ellison Thin Cuts Guitar.  Punches: Martha Stewart Gothic Arch. 

Hints and Tips

To make the microphone in his hand shiney I coloured it grey then added a layer of Sakura Stardust clear gel pen and waterbrushed over it.  This Sakura Stardust clear gel pen has many uses it is also good for adding glitter to fairies wings.

Ladies Devine

Hello hope you are having a lovely sunny day where you are.  This card was created for Penny Black Saturday Challenge.  Week 101 and the challenge is Flowers.  I chose the Penny Black Ladies Devine stamp because one of the cows has flowers on her hat and they are surrounded by daisies so I decided to echo this in my design.

To create this card I used Stamps: Penny Black Ladies Devine.  Cardstock: White hammered, blue.  Papers: DP Doodlebug Designs Inc. Summer assortment, spotty vellum, pink, blue, orange, green.  Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black.  Colouring: Copic markers E000, E00, R20, E21, E31.  Derwent Inktense watercolour pencils.  Sakura glaze pens #849, #822.  Papermania blue shimmer chalk.  Dies: Nellies Mutli frame oval.  Punches: Tonic Studio multi flower.  Woodware grass.  X-Cut daisy.  L-Em.com stamen.  Embellishments: Brads of various sizes.

Hints and Tips

I used a black Sakura glaze gel pen to add extra dimension to the black patches on the cows.

Pretty Vs Sleek

I have a theory which I was discussing with my friend Allison over at Pink Fibro. Whenever I do a post on something "pretty" or "decorative" I get lots of comments. I get, well, not much response at all when I post something that is architectural or ultra modern.

Personally, I prefer to live in an interior which is eclectic, personal and the opposite of minimal, but as a design jounalist I can really appreciate a fabulously sleek modern house. I just wouldn't want to live in it.

I think that most people - and most bloggers out there - feel the same way.

I often have this discussion with my husband who is an architect and is particularly good at designing older-style houses with generous proportions and details but feels architectural peer pressure to "do modern".

I'd like to hear what you think.

Christmas Bear Fun

Hi hope you have all had a lovely Monday.  This card was created for Susie & Vikki's Christmas Club. Challenge #17 Christmas Stitching.  I was trying to think of a way to incorporate stitching with out just adding it to the edge. My Christmas Bear Fun stamp gave me a good idea, where the bears are holding the length of tinsel I thought it would be a good idea to stitch that.

To create this card I used Stamps: Stamp It Christmas Bear Fun.  Cardstock: White hammered card, green, red glittered.  Papers: DP Karen Foster String of Lights.  Green.  Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black.  Colouring: Derwent Inktense watercolour pencils.  Sakura Glaze pens #800, #822, #830.  Dies: Sizzix Originals small Holly & Berries.  Cuttlebug embossing folder Divine Swirls.  Embellishments: Gold fibers, gold thread.

Hints and Tips

If you want to add a glossy accent to your card but don't want to wait for it to dry, try using Sakura clear glaze pen #800 it dries in a fraction of the time of Glossy Accents.  If you want to add more interest to your die cuts emboss them after cutting them it adds another dimension to them.

Tash Shopping

This card was created for  Cupcake Craft Challenge.  Challenge 91  Blooming Charming.  You have to use beautiful blooms and charms.  I had some shopping bag charms so I thought I would make a shopping card.  Then I thought well flowers don't really fit in with the theme of shopping but luckily I found some tiny paper flowers in my stash so I placed them in Tash's shopping bag to look like she has just bought them. 

To create this card I used Stamps: Nutshells Tash.  Cardstock: White hammered, pink.  Papers: DP Dovecraft Glamour Prints.  Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black.  Colouring: Copic markers E000, E00, E11, R20, E35, YR23.  Derwent Inktense watercolour pencils.  Sakura clear glaze pen #800, stardust #74.  Embellishments: Shopping bag charm, bright pink brad, pink organza ribbon, paper flowers, silver jump ring and chain.

Hints and Tips

Tash's vest top and shopping bags where paper pieced using the same DP as the back ground of the card.  I find this pulls the whole design together.

On the Beach

Hello hope you have had a wonderful weekend.  This card was created for the One Stop Craft Challenge.  Challenge 80 Summer Breeze.  I was quite pleased with this challenge as I had just purchased this Penny Black stamp at the Happy Stampers Northwest May Festival, so it was a good excuse to use it.

To create this card I used Stamps: Penny Black On the Beach.  Cardstock: White hammered, green, brown, teal.  Papers: DP Doodlebug Designs Inc. Summer assortment, pink, green.  Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Rich Cocoa, Cottage Ivy.  Colouring: Copic  markers C3, C5, R20.  Derwent Inktense watercolour pencils.  Papermania blue shimmer chalk.  Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities Small Deckled Rectangles.  Sizzix Sizzlits Hibiscus flower, Hawaiian leaf.  Sizzix Large Original Palm tree.  Cuttlebug embossing folder Spiders web.  Embellishments:  Deco Art Glamour dust crystal. 

Hints and Tips

The trunk on the palm tree was given extra dimension by embossing it using the Cuttlebug embossing folder Spiders web.  I then rubbed Memento Rich Cocoa ink over the embossing.

Winter Wonderland See Amid the Winter's Snow

To create this card I used Stamps: Penny Black Snowball Fun.  Woodware Snowflake Medley.  Cardstock: White hammered, blue, white glitter.  Paper: Design Papers Dovecraft Winter Wonderland.  Blue paper.  Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black.  Colouring: Derwent Inktense watercolour pencils.  Sakura Stardust pen #725.  Punches: Martha Stewart Snowflake border.  Woodware snowflakes various sizes. 

This card was created for Winter Wonderland Challenge.

Just Magnolia Challenge Blog Week 55 One for the girls

To create this card I used Stamps: Magnolia Tilda with flowing hair. Cardstock: White hammered, pink.  Papers: Design Papers Smirk Naughty but Nice.  Inks: Memento Tuxedo black.  Colouring: Skin, hair Copic markers E000, E00, E11, R20, E35, YR23, Y23.  Clothing Derwent Inktense watercolour pencils.  Sakura stardust pen.  Punches: Martha Stewart Scallop Dot.  Tonic Studio multi butterfly.  Woodware small butterfly.  Embellishments: Papermania adhesive shimmer dots.  Deco Art Glamour dust crystal.  Anita's Glitterations border sticker.

This card was created for Just Magnolia Challenge Blog.

Avalon Coastal Retreat

I have been thinking about the travel experience a lot lately as I have been appointed to the tourism board in my region.

I have been swatting up on what amazing places there are to stay in the most out of the way places. The Avalon Coastal Retreat in Tasmania is an architectural indulgence on a piece of remote, rugged coast on Australia's southern most island, Tasmania. It's the sort of place that provides a truely contemporary Australian experience - that mix of wilderness and sophistication that makes this part of the world so unique.

It has even been written up by Conde Nast Traveller in one of their "Hot New Hotels" lists and appeared on the travel pages of many international glossies.

I would certainly like to take in the sunset over Great Oyster Bay sipping a crisp Tassie white...