Thursday, 17 October 2013

Altered Fun

Hi everyone, thought you might like to see an altered project that I have been working on... a storage rack for my favourite edge punches


I had started with an old spice rack that had been given to me by a good friend
I added a coat of gesso (I did remove the bars, before getting gesso on them, just not before I started, lol)

I then added pieces of sheet music

next I added some dimension with the Random Dots stencil and then inked it up with distress ink

then I added a splash of colour with Lindys Stamp Gang spray


I painted the bars and reattached them and then sealed the rack, it is important to seal a project like this to protect it, as it will be used regularly

 then to finish it off added some decoration with Scrap FX and some flowers



I hope you liked the project

Scrap FX products used:

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this project,
till next time
happy creating
xC


Monday, 7 October 2013

So Exciting!

Just had to share my excitement....



My "Create" canvas, the one I had created for the Scrap FX challenge was featured on the Lindy's Stamp Gang Blog.... you can check it out here >>> http://ow.ly/pxxFy

 some close ups


Here's a link to my original post about this project.... http://ow.ly/re6yN

It's just so exciting to have my work up on their blog.

just had to share my excitement
till next time
Happy Creating
xC

Thursday, 3 October 2013

Creating Backgrounds with Scrap FX


 Hi today I want to share with you a couple of layouts I created using the latest Scrap FX stamps...  If you haven't tried their stamps you should, they are fantastic! (and not to mention so affordable)...
I love creating interesting backgrounds for my layouts using these new stamps...


First up to share I have "Moments to Remember"  



For this layout I started with plain grey cardstock and the new Scrap FX Cogs stamp (it's awesome)... added Gesso, both black and white, some pieces of book pages, and finally some distress ink....


The title was painted with Precious Metal Colour paint from Viva Decor,  as well as the Steampunk Flourish Border and the Chicken Wire was painted with black Gesso.


Scrap FX products used to create this layout:
Cog Stamp: Model: 2013284



 Next up I have another layout to share "The Vatican"


For this layout, I used the new Clock Face Stamp... another new favourite of mine.... problem is I have too many favourites now!! lol...
I stamped this layout using black Gesso... and the great thing about these stamps is that they, hold so much ink or paint that you can stamp multiple times without reapplication.... hence the shades of the clock faces on my background... 


Here I used the String Beads Stencil for some great texture...


And finally I fussy cut some distress ink stamped images of the Leafy Stem Stamp...
Scrap FX products used to create this layout:

Well I hope that these will help inspire you to try the Scrap FX stamps if you haven't already.

till next time
happy creating
xC

Tuesday, 1 October 2013

School holiday fun with Helmar


Hi I was asked by Helmar to do something school holiday related this month for my DT project... so here are the projects I came up with, suitable for a wide age range and hopefully will keep the kids entertained for a while..... 

a pen holder & matching notebook


these are a couple of simple projects that can be achieve by most age groups....


this was a little glass jar I found for 50c at my local 2nd hand store, but you could also use an empty vegemite or jam jar if you have them
you can collect some cheap button packs from some of the large craft stores or sometimes from the 2nd hand stores too


Using Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive apply a dob of glue to each button and  randomly stick them onto the jar until you are happy with the coverage. Once the glue has set it's ready for them to use...

follow the same procedure to create a matching notebook (you can pick up notebooks from any of the cheap shops)... as a fun addition you can add your child's initials to the cover with chipboard letters...


I find that this is great for the youngsters, but if you have older children you can take the project a couple of steps further...

paint over the whole surface with Gesso...

 for the notebook it is best to remove the covers for painting... Note you should leave the covers on for the button gluing to ensure that the children don't stick buttons over the binding holes...

Next using some colour sprays.... Lindys Stamp Gang, glimmermists or similar... spray a few colours all over the projects




finally spray your projects with Krystal Kote Gloss Varnish to seal the colour...

hope you enjoyed the projects,
till next time
happy creating
xC



Friday, 27 September 2013

Scrap FX Mood Board Challenge

Today I am sharing with you my take on the Scrap FX Mood Board Challenge...


this was the mood board for the challenge created by Michelle Logan ...

There was so much on that board that I related to, love the doily image, the clock, the birds, the feather and I was inspired by the quote..."do more of what makes you happy" it was such a fun challenge...

Keeping that quote in mind lead me to create my piece a mixed media canvas with loads of Scrap FX pieces and loads of Lindy's Stamp Gang products.....


For my canvas I first used the palm frond stencil and modelling paste to create my background texture, then flooded the canvas with Lindy's Stamp Gang sprays...


Once I was happy with the background I stamped and embossed the Doily Stamp with black embossing powder... I love the look of the doily clock in the mood board so decided that the doily stamp would be perfect to create a clock on my canvas (did you realize that each flower is in the perfect position for the clock numerals!!! how cool right!) ... 
the creating of the clock then lead to my choice of title...


I love the Scrap FX bird of flight and this seemed the perfect opportunity to make it shine! I painted it with LSG products and made sure I flooded the wings and tail making them nice and wet, to ensure that when I hit them with the heat gun they would curl beautifully to add even more dimension to my project.... I loved the result...


I used the ruffled feather stamp to emboss a pattern onto my "create" word in the title... this stamp is amazing for providing a great flourish type pattern.... I love it....


Here is the list of Scrap FX products I used:
Freestyle Alphabet lower case: Model: 2008007
Playground Alphabet large: Model: 2012305
Playground Alphabet small: Model: 2012306
Chisel Large, Uppercase: Model: 2006114
Bird of Flight: Model: 2012217
Me Time: Model: 2012020
Happiness, midi: Model: 2013209
Doily Stamp: Model: 2013245
Ruffled Feather Stamp: Model: 2013250
Clock Hands Antique 10cm: Model: 2008131
Palm Frond Stencil: Model: 2012164

I hope you enjoyed my take on the mood board and hopefully I have inspired you to have a go... please share your creations with us and maybe win yourself a guest spot on the Scrap FX blog and some great Scrap FX goodies... click here for full details on the challenge...  I hope to see you sharing your creations on the Scrap FX Facebook page here....

till next time
Happy Creating
xC

Friday, 20 September 2013

Do you love a Challenge!!

Do you love a challenge???
Over on the Scrap FX blog we have been having fun creating our next challenge for you all.... 

a MOOD BOARD CHALLENGE!!!!!

Photo: We have been having fun creating our next challenge for everyone.... a MOOD BOARD CHALLENGE!!!!!

If you have trouble interpreting a board, hop over to the Blog now and see how our DT have done it and they have even given some tips on how they got to the end result!
http://www.scrapfx.com.au/blog/?p=9610

All the details are on the Blog post but basically you have till the 17th of next month to create anything based on the board. The only requirement is to include some type of stamping technique!
By entering your creation here on our FB page or leaving us a link you are in with a chance to be featured on the Scrap FX Blog and an awesome prize pack including our newly released stamps!
What more could you ask for ???? So off you go get inspired and we all look forward to seeing your designs!!


All the details are on the Blog post here, but basically you have until the 17th of October to create anything based on the board.  The only requirement is to include some type of stamping technique! Easy right!!

If you need some inspiration or help interpreting the board, hop over to the Blog now and see how some of our Scrap FX DT have interpreted it and their advice and some tips on how they got to their end results!

By entering your creation on the Scrap FX FB page here, you are in with a chance to be featured on the Scrap FX Blog and win an awesome prize pack including the newly released stamps, which are absolutely awesome!!
So what more could you ask for ???? 
Off you go, get creating and I am looking forward to seeing all of your creations!!

Till next time,
Happy Creating
xC

Friday, 6 September 2013

Scrap FX Stamping Heaven!

Wow I am in Love with these new stamps from Scrap FX... those of you that know me well know I love a good foam stamp because of their versatility, and all I can say is these Scrap FX stamps are fantastic... they stamp wonderfully using all sorts of mediums.... I have played with them with distress ink, embossing ink and paint with great results and to top it off they are so economically priced.... with the cheapest of them only a few dollars...  They are just awesome and everyone should have a few in their stash....

Ok rave over... here are a couple of things I created while testing out the stamps...
First up I have "Follow your Heart"


for this layout, I use the new doily stamp and stamped and embossed it with three different colours of embossing powders, before spraying with a few colours of glimmermist... 



I painted my title and scroll with glimmermist



and finished them with a small amount of gold Precious Metal Colour from Viva...

Scrap FX products used to create this layout:

Next up is "Capture the Moment"


For this layout I had fun with the feathers stamps....  I stamped them onto the background I had created with the hexagonal stencil and sprays...


and then I stamped the feathers onto some cardstock outlined them with a fineliner and cut them out so as to provide some extra dimension on the page...

Scrap FX products used to create this layout:


Finally I have a card I created with the new Surfing Santa Shaker Dome.... it's just so Aussie, I had to use him... 


I used the doily stamp to create a background on the card, and used the ruffled feather stamp and embossing powder to create some extra waves for Santa...


 Scrap FX products used to create this card:

Hope you enjoy the new stamps as much as I am...
Till Next Time
xC


EDIT:  This post has been highlighted on the Party Time Tuesday Blog where a wonderful Design team posts daily to inspire you. On Tuesdays they have weekly challenges offering prizes for participants. Go check Party Time Tuesdays Your Daily Dose out! Your going to love it!

Friday, 30 August 2013

A time for Reflection

You know how live gets sometimes and you just need to sit back and think about things.... Well this week a friend of mine sent me one of those emails... you know the ones with a nice message and hen if you don't send it onto 15 friends in 5 minutes blah blah etc. etc..
Well this day I read this one all the way through... and it struck a real chord with me... despite all the  chain mail stuff at the end the message itself was really important.... and is something that has had me thinking this past week....  It rang so true to me that I thought I would share the story with you all... so here it is... a little long, but worth the read, I think....

A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking iced tea and visiting with her mother. As they talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter.
'Don't forget your sisters,' she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. 'They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still going to need sisters. Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them.'
'Remember that 'sisters' means ALL the women... your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives too. 'You'll need other women. Women always do.'
What a funny piece of advice!' the young woman thought. Haven't I just gotten married? Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!'
But she listened to her mother. She kept contact with her sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she gradually came to understand that her mother really knew what she was talking about. As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman, sisters are the mainstays of her life.

After more than 45 years of living in this world, here is what I've learned:
THIS SAYS IT ALL:
Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Men don't do what they're supposed to do.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favours.
Careers end.
BUT.........
Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach.
When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end.
Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you....Or come in and carry you out.
Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family: all bless our life!
The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I.. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other.
Every day, we need each other still.

So like I said this really rang true for me.... and I have been reflecting on the strength that we as women give to each other... and all I can say is Cherish your sisters...

till next time
xC

Wednesday, 28 August 2013

Busy Busy Busy

Well, I had forgotten how much time it takes when you are regularly teaching..... 

The last few months with only the one class a week was a nice slow pace that I was really getting used to....but now with the teaching gig at The Quilters Cafe, I am teaching Monday nights and Wednesdays all day on top of what I was already doing...WOW, it's really taking some adjusting to.... The hardest part is no longer being able to just sit and create at will, anytime the fancy takes me, and having to plan and schedule my creative time...
Despite all that, I am loving teaching so much again!!! Just love teaching, nothing compares to helping people and seeing the look of achievement on their faces....
So I don't have any work ready to share today but I have several pieces on the go that I will be sharing as soon as I have completed them... so until then, here's a series of three pieces "Analysis 1" made by Deb Layt that you can learn to make at The Quilters Cafe.... I just love the colours and textures...

"Analysis 1"




All for all of you papercrafter's out there, I hope you find the colours, form and shapes inspiring!!

till next time
happy creating
xC