Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Just wanted to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and hope that you all enjoyed your Christmas Celebrations.  We had a lovely day spent with family and extended family, it was nice to catch up and spend time together and the celebrations continued yesterday with more family.  Over the next few days will be catching up with friends and  doing bits and pieces around the house. 

In the meantime I would like to thank everyone for their wonderful comments over the past year and I will be back shortly to share some layouts and cards that I have made over the past few weeks.

Enjoy the celebrations

Karen

Inkspirations Colour Challenge # 16

Makeesha is running her new colour challenge.  What a fabulous colour combination.   I have always wanted to play along but never had enough papers etc.  Well after doing 5 of 6 stamp clubs with Sarah I no longer have that problem lol. I spent a wonderful afternoon with my sister stamping and here is my take for the challenge:

Stamps:                Fifth Avenue Floral, Oval All

Cardstock:          Whisper White, Taken with Teal, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie

Ink:                      Taken with Teal, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Ancient Page - Black

Other:                  Ribbon Pumpkin Pie, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Scallop, Glossy Accents.

Thanks for dropping bye, have a wonderful day.

Karen

It's beginning to look a bit like Christmas!!

At Theme Thursday this week it is Christmas Creation time.  Albeit late here is my contribution towards this weeks theme.

For the background I have used Tim Holtz distress inks Peeled Paint and China Blue.  I have then stamped with Black soot and then cover the stamp with Perfect Peals.  I have used Forever Red, Forever Green & Interefence Green, Schwarkosky Crystals and German Scraps.

Thanks for looking

Karen

Advent Calendar!!

Gosh I can't believe that it has been nearly two weeks since I last posted...ooh wah the time has just flown.  Anyway I have been busy creating.   For a long time now I have wanted to make/decorate an advent calendar.  I knew that it wouldn't interest my son as he way past that so after discussing it with the classroom teacher and getting the OK this is what I came up with. 

Here are a few closeups

I used the new Kaiser advent calendar kit together with papers from the Kaiser Christmas Carnival collection.  My tree is a Christmas decoration and the santa is a pick that I purchased from Spotlight and just removed the skewer from the base.  I filled each drawer with a candy cane and a chocolate coin.  When I presented it to the class yesterday  the children were just delighted and couldn't wait until today to start the calendar.

Thanks for dropping by and having a look.  Have a wonderful day.

Karen

A New ATC!!

This week over at Theme Thursday the theme is borders.  I had fun playing along and here is my contributions to this weeks topic.

I have used black tissue paper crumpled up and pasted on a chipboard frame and rubbed over Treasure Gold -Green Amber.  Under the frame I put frayed muslin inked with Pinecone ink.  The background p/p was sprayed with Glimmermist - Wheatfields and a little pearl.  The image was googled.

Thanks for looking, have a wonderful day.

Black with 2 November Challenge!

I have had a very creative weekend so far and have completed this challenge that is on at BW2 , The requirements for this month are

Here is my take on this months challenge

I had fun playing along.  Thanks for looking have a wonderful day.

Blind Scrap Challenge!!

Over at SBFTH the blind scrap challenges have started up again.  This fortnight it is Sue-anns turn.  Here is my take.  I really enjoyed playing along it seems like ages since the last one.

White Bazzil, scrappers floss, Kaiser Extreme/Esperance,

Twiddleybitz shooting stars, K & Co Kazzoo Kids Chipboard, MM Puffy Alphas,

Adorn it - milk chocolate alphas, pinecone ink & yellow paint

I am off to work on my ATC's now.   Enjoy your weekend and have a lovely day.

Thanks for looking.

Favourite Colours!

I have to say that orange was not one of my favourite colours, but since doing ATC's I do like how orange turns out so it has become one of my favourites.  Here is my contribution for this weeks challenge over at Theme Thursday.

I have used orange toned card stock and sprayed it with Tiger Lily Glimmermist, texture paste, cuttlebug diecut, gold rub n buff, black ink and German Scraps.  Image is from Kelsey.  I have used orange bling from Kaiser as ran out of crystals.

Thanks for dropping bye, have a wonderful day.

Black with 2 October Challenge!

Here is my entry for this months challenge over at Black with Two.  Requirements were dominant black,  with pink, white, 3 chipboard elements and ribbon

I don't really scrap with a lot of pink so really enjoyed having a play this month.  I matched the prima flowers to the azalea spray with glimmermist, paint and ink, so think it turned out well.

Thanks for looking.

Scrapboxx Retreat at Meadowbrooke!!

Phew! Can't believe that it has been nearly 2 weeks since the retreat at Meadowbrooke.  What a fabulous time.  Two nights and two days of non stop scrapping and lots of chatting meeting new friends and catching up with old ones.  Sheree and Evana inspired us with their fantastic classes and of course the challenges (to create something with virtually nothing).  I am please to say that I completed all the classes and ended up coming home with around 10 layouts, 1 OTP and 3 completed challenges.  We were spoilt rotten having the delightful Ash as our chef for the weekend, she cooked up a storm the food was amazing.   The only down side to the weekend is that I discovered that I have hayfever.  Never had it before in my life, unfortunately the venue had lots of Star Jasmine and it got to me by the 1st morning, thanks to Kim for the Telfast it saved the day.

Here are the challenges:  1. create a Christmas Ornament
                                                  2. make a card
                                                  3. a layout

The best part for me was that I only used the items that we were given in each pack and added nothing apart from paint and or ink and a chipboard letter.

Here is a photo of our little group with Maria (owner of Scrapboxx) Sheree and Evana that was taken after one of the classes:

We were also treated to two demos during the weekend as part of our compulsory break.  Kareena from Scrappy Cow Margaret River showed us how to use glitter with the glue pad to embellish our pages and Maria showed us how to make her dodgy flowers lol, (omg how easy but with huge amounts of wow factor)

                                             

So totally awesome weekend and very much looking forward to August 2010 and the next Boxx Retreat....bring it on!!

Quick Update!!

Wow, were has the time gone.  We are in school holidays here in Western Australia and towards the end of the last week, it is now flying.  With only 1 sleep to go, tomorrow I am off to Boyanup (which is down south past Bunbury) for the Scrapboxx scrapbooking retreat.  There will be around 26 of us and we will be scrapping and chatting all weekend.  It will be so good to catch up with old friends and meet new ones.

 During the holidays there hasn't been much creating happening around here I have spent the time rearranging my creative area.  The size of my space is around 1.7m x 1.9m approx, not very big but boy have I got it sorted now.  DH and I went to Ikea the other weekend and purchased two expidit bookcases the 4 x 4 and a 2 x 4.  I am still looking to how I can incorporate the new tall Alex just love that one.  If I ever get a bigger area have already shown hubby my new desk lol.  It has tall Alex's at either end and seats two people (I will have to dream for a little longer me thinks)  I also got this week the Clip It Up!   I have always wanted one but never had to right spot to put one so now I have got my alphas and rubons and bits and pieces hanging up and all very neat and with easy reach, soo cool.

This week I posted off my cards swap for the boxx: this month's theme was congratulations.

On Tuesday night I had my ATC class with Kelsey and this week we did crackle technique.  Wow what fun that was.  Unfortunately on the way home 1 of mine hadn't dried properly and stuck to the side of the tin, grrr so will have to redo that one for my book.  Only a few more classes to go and we will be finished technique book 2, so will put my technique books into the gallery as soon as they are finished.  Next year we are starting a new book with lots of new techniques so are really looking forward to that.

Well I am now off to print photos, finish my swap tags and do the housework, then off to lunch with a girlfriend.

Wishing you all a happy and safe week.

Karen

Black with 2 Challenge!!

Here is my entry for this month's challenge.  It is my first time playing at BW2. 

The requirements were dominant black, with blue and orange, a diecut and a title using felt or foam.

Thanks for looking

Perfect Pearls with a flourish!

At Theme Thursday this week the theme is ATC with flourishes. Here is my contribution.

Last night I did a Perfect Pearls class with Kelsey  at Scraptivate which was great fun and sprayed this background using a mix of Weathered Wood distress refill and Copper perfect pearls onto Buff cardstock.  Today I played around and stamped a Technique Tuesday flourish (which unfortunately doesn't show up very well) on the rhs which I embossed and added the german scrap wing and image.  The Collections frame has a hammered metal look which Kelsey showed us last night (very cool). 

There hasn't been much creating happening over the last fortnight but hopefully this week I will get to finish all the bits and bobs that need finishing. 

Thanks for popping by.  Have a fabulous day.

Karen

Witches and black cats time!

I feel a little like the white rabbit again from Alice in Wonderland....I'm late I'm late...lol.   I have been trying to finish this little ATC all week for the Halloween theme over at Theme Thursday, so here it is:

I have used Spiced Marmalade and Peeled Paint Distress Inks on a gloss background and stamped with the stamps from Stampers Anonymous Trick or Treat collection.  The little picket fence is a new Martha Stewart punch that I have just bought . I have used a small silver spider in the top rhs corner and inserted a little bit of bling for its tummy.

Halloween is something that we don't do, but am quite pleased with the outcome.

Thanks for looking, have a great day.

Prima Goodness!!

Who doesn't love Prima !  Check out these lovelies here  very yummy....

More Creating!

Each month I participate in a card swap through the Boxx. This months theme was 'Thank You ' and we each had to make 10 cards. Mine have now been sent off and here is my card.

I used Bazzill cardstock with Kaiser bling and Penny Royale pp with chocolate ribbon and punched a lacy border out of bazzill bling. The stamp is from Stampin up and is on watercolour paper and coloured with stampin up inks.

I haven't done much creating in the last few weeks as I am still struggling with a cold that I just can't seem to budge. I count my blessings that it is not swine flu! The rain has started again and today it is quite cold so trying to keep warm.

Thanks for looking, have a wonderful day wherever you may be.

Quotes and Sayings!

At Theme Thursday this week the theme is quotes and sayings. For my contribution I have made a ATC and chosen a new stamp I have just acquired from Stampin Up which includes a gorgeous saying by Mother Teresa which I have highlighted using a Spotlight Technique (which I have just done with Kelsey.)

I have coloured in the flowers and background using marvy markers and blender pen and used black crystals.

Thanks for looking, have a wonderful day.

Purple!!

The theme this week at Theme Thursday is purple. This week I have had a play with beeswax and crayon. For a first attempt I am quietly pleased with the result. I even put little purple beads into the wax on her hat. Image is from E-vintage

Thanks for dropping bye and having a look I do appreciate all your wonderful comments. Have a fabulous day.

Altered Book!!

On the Saturday of last weekend I had the priviledge of doing a workshop with Jenny Crossley at Scraptivate. What an inspirational lady, her work is amazing. We made the Swallow Book and it was my very first altered book (most definitely not my last). Wow what a day it was very much non stop and full on. We started at 9.30am, there was lots of distressing with paint, cutting, gluing and preparing etc. until it colminated into our finished books. I left at round 7.oopm that night and I can tell you I was completely exhausted. A huge thanks to Kelsey who arranged for Jenny to come to Western Australia. Here are some of the pages:

I was going to add to my pages but have decided to leave this one as it is and intend to make another one using some photos of my Dad growing up and give it to him for his birthday.

Thanks for looking, have a fabulous day.

4 x 4's!!

This week at Theme Thursday it i s 4x4's. My inspiration for my creation has come from the various workshops that I have done with Max & Audrey (these girls are so talented) and from the Graphics 45 paper that I used.

Stamps used are Judi Kins, Mickey Choo. Silver embossing powder, black ultra thick embossing enamel, stazon, collections chipboard and wording, german scraps, JW's copper wax, wire, beads, lace, ribbon, flower and key. Paper is Graphic 45 Communique.

Thanks for dropping by and having a look. Hope you are having a great day.

Soot Technique!!

This week at Theme Thursday the theme is ATC's. Here is my contribution:

For the background I have used the new Tim Holtz alchol inks brights applied in stripes and then used the soot technique. The stamps used are Stampotique and the splat and wording is unknown. The 'wierd' is embossed with gold and edge of atc accented with metallic gold paint.

The soot technique is fun and is a new one that I have just learnt, so will have to play a bit more with that one.

Thanks for looking, have a fabulous day.

Jodie's Giveaways!!

How gorgeous are these ! Here is a sample of what Jodie has available on her blog. You can check them out here! So pass the word around and you could win some of her lovely embellishments.

Great job Jodie these are beautiful!

Pink and Brown!!

The theme is pink and brown over at Theme Thursday this week and as my contribution I have made a vintage themed card.

I have used the new Kaiser papers Penny Royale for this along with Bazzill, some lace, Stampin Up's So Swirly and Short and Sweet stamps, Versamark Watermark pad, Stampin up punch Eyelet Border and pink cone ink. The image used was googled. I also used nestabilities Labels two.

Thanks for looking and have a wonderful day.

Boyz Night Out!!

Here is my contribution to this weeks Red and Black theme at Theme Thursday. Hulk and Rocky are the latest addition to my Stampotique Stamps and have been busting to use them. Also I have recently done a workshop on shrinkys and thought that Hulk would be perfect shrunk. Sorry it hasn't scanned as well as I hoped.

I have used a credit card technique for the background, painted corrugated card for accents and foil tape and metal letters. On the shrinky I have used black texture paste and flesh treasure gold to accent.

Thanks for dropping by, I really appreciate your comments.

Torn Tendons //Broken Bones??

Omg! What can I say but disaster. We have just started our end of Term 2 school holidays and 1 day hadn't elapsed and my darling 16yo DS has damaged himself. He was out skateboarding with his mates on Saturday evening and fell heavily on his left foot causing torn tendons and possible breaks to top of his foot. (the complete outcome will be known next week when I take him for a CT scan). So today after having his foot partially plastered, poor love is devastated, feeling very sad and sorry for himself and of course he is sooo bored (lol). He will be in plaster for 2 weeks to start with and if it is broken it will be another 4 weeks in full plaster.

Consequently I haven't had time to do creative stuff, so hopefully tomorrow I will be able to complete my ATC with a red and black theme for this weeks Theme Thursday challenge and complete layouts for my LSS.

So where ever you may be keep safe and thanks for dropping by.

Beautiful!

I'm very late.....oops. Over at Theme Thursday this week the theme is Beautiful. Here is my contribution to this weeks challenge.

For the background I have used a credit card technique using JS Aqua and Antique Copper paints. My image is from Art-E-Zine freebies. I have also used copper metallic wax, brads and German Scraps to embellish.

Thanks for looking, hope you are having a great day.

More challenges!!

Last weekend I completed two challenges that are running at my LSS. One is another blind sketch challenge which is running fortnightly and the other is for a sketch challenge, both run by their Design Team girls.

Kathleens sketch challenge

Sue-Ann's blind scrap challenge

Thanks for dropping in. Have a great day.

Flourishes!!

Over at Theme Thursday this week its all about flourishes. Here is my contribution for this week.

My flourish is from a stamp set called Parisian Market from Technique Tuesday and my image is googled. I have used China Blue and Peeled Paint distress ink on gloss card. A small piece of nylon flywire and german scraps which was rubbed with JW's copper.

Thanks for dropping by and having a look, wishing you a day full of fun and laughter.

Karen

Tag Time!!

This week over at Theme Thursday it is Tag Time. I have never made tags before so this we great fun. I have used the technique in Tim Holtz's latest video using distress inks and Perfect Pearls. I have actually had the Pearls for a long time and never used them, so thought it would be a perfect opportunity to drag them out and play. Here is my tag :

I have used three stamps 1 from Tim Holtz mini muse collection and the other two are Mickey Choo designs. The flower and leaf are from Tim Holtz ideaology Foliage which are very yummy.

Thanks for dropping by have a fabulous day.

Numbers !!

Sort of missed the boat on submitting this one at Theme Thursday last week. As I had a migraine on my day off (boo hoo) I didn't get it finished in time. Not to worry, all better now and have finished it.

I had lots of messy fun with this one. I have used texture paste on the background, then using Golden Paints Turquois (Phthalo), Quin Magenta & Iridescent Gold. I then sprayed with Patina Glimmermist all over and when dry used a Paper Artsy stamp over the top. I then used Treasure Gold Oxynite over the top as a high light.

Thanks for looking have a fabulous day.

Karen

Blind Scrap Challenge !!

A little way back I posted sneak peaks of layouts I did for a Blind Scrap Challenge at my LSS. Now that the voting has been completed I can now show my layouts.

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

I have also just sent off this months card swap. The theme this month was complimentary colours, with no specific senitment. Here is my card:

I am now off the work on my ATC for Theme Thursday. This weeks theme is Numbers.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day.

Gene Kelly ~ Dance and/or Music!!

This week over at Theme Thursday the topic is Dance and/or Music. Here is my contribution to this weeks theme.

I chose an image of Gene Kelly from google, the background is using Tim Holtz distress inks on gloss card, Tim Holtz stamp from his Mini Muse collection, german scraps and some little screw brads. The quote is from the internet. One of my favourite Gene Kelly movies is "Singin in the Rain" this is my tribute to that movie.

Today is Mothers Day so after ds making me breakfast and being presented with two delightful beads to add to my Pandora bracelet I have had a very relaxing day. Happy Mothers Day to all the Mum's trust you were spoilt rotten.....

Thanks for dropping by, have a fabulous day.

A New Village!!

The other weekend i did a two day workshop with the talented Maxine & Audrey and 9 other ladies at a lss. What a fabulous weekend it was using lots of new collection elements, gluing, embossing, more gluing etc. Lots of good stuff. Anyhow here is my canvas. If you follow the link to Audreys blog there is more pictures of our canvas's.

I have also been making some cards. I am in a monthly card swap at the Boxx. Here are my contributions to this months swap

Thanks for taking time out to visit. Have a fabulous day.