Monthly Archives: July 2008

Baroque Beauty

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The Baroque Background stamp didn’t really “do it” for me when I saw it in the catalogue.  And then I started to see some gorgeous things done with it and one day it was living at my house and i’m not entirely sure how that happened…..*whistling, whistling*.   Does that ever happen to you?  I must have the perfect “habitat” for stamps and stamping supplies!! LOL

Anyway, this is the card that I made with the set.  It’s still needing a bit of a go over with the sanding blocks and/or the adhesive eraser (*see note at bottom of page).  It’s not inking up perfectly but i’m still happy with this result. 

     

The base card is Basic Black.  I’ve stamped the Baroque BG with Regal Rose on Whisper White.  The Ribbons are the 5/8″ Grosgrain in Regal Rose and Certainly Celery.  I’ve used the label punch and the large oval to make the “embellishment” and stamped the sentiment from “One of a Kind” out of the new Mini.  To get the layered effect I punched out Black, Celery and Regal Rose once each from the label punch.  I cut the Basic Black & Certainly Celery in half and then added them to the Regal Rose.  I think it makes it stand out just that little bit more.   I put some Whisper White and Certainly Celery Cardstock on the inside for the message.

I always try to make two of the same card at once and that way I have one to send and one to keep for display for my customers.

*Note: I just wanted to say, with a such a large Bold stamp it can be difficult for the ink to “take” to the rubber for the first couple of times.  Using an SU sanding block or Adhesive rubber lightly over the rubber gives the Ink a bit of a “purchase” and you will find that you will get a better image quicker.  it seems to remove any residue from the process of making the Stamps.  Hope that helps someone!!

Until Next time,
Happy Stamping!!!
Madonna

Spring Mini Launch Projects

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I just wanted to show you the ull pictures of the projects that were made at my Mini Launch last week.  These will be the same projects the girls that are coming to my GC launch will make on Saturday.  Remember the sneak peak I showed you here?

 

I think the girls liked them and I hope that the ladies attending on Saturday do as well.  I still have places available on Saturday at my Gold Coast Launch so if you do want the details please email me at [email protected].  If you are interested in making one of those adorable bags yourself check out the place where I got my original inspiration – Diana Gibbs.  Mine is slightly different in that i’ve added a tag instead of the cute little embellishments down the front.  It’s very easy to put together and will make a fantastic gift box!

If you haven’t received a Spring Mini Catalogue and you would like one sent out to you, please email me at the above address and I’ll get one into the post to you lickety split….or Monday!! LOL

I have just put Miss Alexandra down for a little nap, have washing to hang out on the line and then i’m into the study to try to get some crafting done.  We have all been sick with coldy fluey bugs here so I’ve not felt up to doing anything other than whinge a bit.  It’s because Mark and the children can all get some relief from the Demazin but being pregnant I just have to tough it out.  Boo hoo me.  I should just put my big girl pants on and deal with it huh?? LOL

Happy Stamping Everyone!!
Madonna

My own world

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Ok, so this is an apology for the lack of posts lately!!  I’ve been so busy organising Launches and conducting Workshops and what not that my personal crafting has been put to the side.  Hopefully this will change in the next few days and i’ll have some more things for you to feast your eyes on.  Until then, bear with me as I try make ‘MadonnaLand’ and reality mesh!!

Elite Challenges

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As a part of the Elite Stampers Forum we are given challenges to do each month etc.  I haven’t been playing along so much these days but have decided I need to stamp everyday so have set myself the task of trying to get at least one of the three done per month.  This morning I’ve just finished my second one!!  Yay me!! LOL.  And the other thing that makes me very happy is that both cards are created entirely from scraps without cutting into ANY new pieces of cardstock.  That is my other task to myself – using up my box of scraps!

So the challenges I’ve completed are Sketch & Colour. 

The card above is the Colour Challenge.  The colours were Purely Pomegranate, Always Artichoke and Creamy Caramel.  I also added some Very Vanilla to stamp the branches & birdy onto.  The stamps are Spring Solitude Hostess Level 2 from the Main Catalogue.

This one is the Sketch Challenge.  I used Regal Rose, Purely Pomegranate and Old Olive with the One of a Kind Stamp Set from the new Mini Catty.

If you are interested in checking out some more of the very talented Elite Stampers work you can head over to the Challenges Blog here.  These cards will be up there as well as soon as I can remember what my login details are {oops}!

Until Next time,
Happy Stamping!
Madonna

I’ve been awarded…

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The very talented Carol Dunstan has given me this lovely award.  Thanks Carol!

The rules that accompany this award are:

1) Put the logo on your blog.
2) Add a link to the person who awarded you.
3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4) Add links to those blogs on yours.
5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.

Ok 7 other blogs may be getting a little tough because how can I pick just seven out of the heaps and heaps that I visit in my wanderings around the World Wide Web??  Anyway I’ll try!

1: Yvonne Campbell, because she’s so darn gorgeous!
2: Alisa Tilsner, no explanation required
3: Yvette Adams, for continually inspiring me (even if I’m never motivated enough to scrap!)
4: Kristie Morrison, for how far you have come in so short a time
5: Lauren Bergold,  Have you seen what she does??? Gorgeous!!

Ok that’s it i’m going to stop at 5 because I cannot possibly choose between the rest of the people in my favourites!

Have a good one everyone!
Happy Stamping!
Mad

SU! Spring Mini Launches

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Here is a sneak peak of the projects we will be making at the Mini Launches I will be running here in Brisbane on the 25th of July and at the Gold Coast on the 2nd of August.  If you are interested in attending either of these events please email me at [email protected].

Get Well Soon Cath!!

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One of the ladies in my team has just undergone some major surgery on her back and I wanted to make her a card that was bright and cheerful!

I’m a little bit in love with these new papers from the Spring Mini Catalogue.  They are just so springy and they make me happy just looking at them!  I’ve made the card 5 1/4″ square using textured Whisper White CS for something a little bit different.  The big flowers on the front are from the Die-Cut Blooms – yep more new stuff from the Spring Mini!  The white on the flower and the sentiment both come from rubons…..from the new mini! 

I hope that Cath likes it and it cheers up her day!

Until next time,
Happy Stamping!

Madonna

July Cyberstamp Challenges

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My clever and talented (slurp slurp) upline Alisa Tilsner runs a cyberstamp on her forum every month.  Last night we had one and there were three challenges.

1. Limited Supplies – 1 stamp set, 2 colours (+1 neutral), 1 embellishment.
2. Use Versamark in some way
3. Create a card using the Dahlia Fold.

Here are my creations

Stamp set: Season of Joy (oooh new one!!), Card stock: Night of Navy, Soft Sky, Whisper White.  Ink: Night of Navy, Soft Sky.  Embellishment: Soft Sky Double stitched ribbon. 

 

The next challenge to use Versamark.  Well I didn’t want to be too boring and just emboss so or simply emboss resist.  I wanted it to be a little different so I did emboss resist with a twist – Polished Stone!!  I was limited in the colours I could use as I don’t have that many re-inkers at the moment but I do love Pomegranate & Olive together and it does suit that Season of Joy set so that’s where I went with it.  I started with the versamark on Glossy White Card stock.  I covered with white embossing powder and embossed.  The Polished stone is achieved by dropping a little bit of Isocol onto a cotton ball and then a couple of drops of each of the re-inkers.  In the card on the left I used more Pomegranate drops than Olive and vice versa in the card on the right.  I bopped it up and down all over the glossy card stock and then waited a minute and dried the ink off the embossed image gently with a tissue.  Voila!  I made my own Pomegranate brads in the card on the right by putting a drop of Pomegranate re-inker into a dobble (if you know what I mean) of Crystal Effects.  Word of advice.  You do need to wait.  Patience is not a virtue of mine so let’s just say that each one has a unique print on the top of them!!

 

 

The third and final challenge was to create a card using the Dahlia Fold method.  I’ve never done this one before.  It has been on the to do list but you know how it is!!  I used the Dashing Designer Series Papers, Old Olive and Real Red.  The white ink is Craft Ink and again it takes a few minutes to dry properly.  I should try to be more patient!!  More special little marks on this one!! LOL.  The stems come from the Hostess Set In The Spotlight.  Very lovely.  The little lady beetles are from Garden Whimsy.

Phew.  Did you make it through all that?!?!  What a post!!  Hope you like my challenge cards.  I was quite happy with the way they turned out despite my inability to wait for things to dry!! 

Until Next time,
Happy Stamping!!
Madonna

 

 

 

 

 

Garden Whimsy Bookmark Card

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Hello there!  I’m sorry i’ve been a slack blogger.  I’m going to blame it on the lethargy of being pregnant and the chaos that is school holidays!!  (They are my excuses & i’m sticking to them!).

The following card I made for a workshop that I will be doing in a couple of weeks (Hi Lynda!).  I designed it mainly to use the Stampin’ Up! Cutter Kit and very ingenious little tool that does a myriad of things.  I am a bit of a tool girl and love things that open & shut.  The Cutter Kit certainly does that!!  It cuts (as you would expect! lol) scores, distresses and perforates!  The perforator is the tool we will be using to create this card.

 

Cardstock: Groovy Guava, Soft Sky, Whisper White
Ink: Groovy Guava, Old Olive, Really Rust (both markers & ink pads)
Accessories: Cutter Kit, Sponges, Designer Label Punch, Large Oval Punch, Guava & Soft Sky Double Stitched Ribbons, Corner Rounder Punch and Fall Flowers Designer Series Paper.

So the idea of the bookmark card is that the recipient can tear off the extra little bit (pre-perforated with the cutter kit) and use it for a bookmark…the card that keeps on giving! (sorry feeling corny!)

I hope that the attendees all like the card and that you do too!

I have been busy today my first day at home without little people for weeks!  So I will try to get some more things up for you to look at soon!!

Until then, Happy Stamping!!
Madonna

 

Always to celebrate Kristie

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Well here’s a sneaky peak of one of the new sets that’s coming out in the Spring Mini Catalogue due to be released 1 August.  This is Kristie’s Birthday Card.  I also made a matching journal for her but my pictures are ordinary so go over to her site if you want to see it (the link is in my blogroll to the right).

Cardstock: Basic Gray, Purely Pommegranate, Whisper White
Ink: Purely Pommegranate, Basic Gray (for sponging)
Other: NEW Satin Ribbon (DELICIOUS!), Hat pin and “bits” from Pretties Kit, Slit Punch for scalloping, Sponges and Ink.

So it’s a little preview of one of my favourite sets from the Mini.  You will see alot of this one.  I’m in love with it.  Thankfully Kristie loved her card as well!! She sets a high bar for me!! As my big sister she has an over-inflated sense of my worth!!

More samples to follow this weekend of the projects we’ll be making at my Mini Launches.  Stay tuned and until then, Happy Stamping!!

Madonna