Closed until further notice

Due to unexpected circumstances, this blog will be closed for the foreseeable future.

Thank you to my visitors. I am fine, I just am unable to blog for now.

#acardeverydayfor30days - Day 17

Today's inspiration came from two sources. Thanks to the lovely Kylie Bertucci who has been kind enough to share her video on how to make her beautiful card using Thoughtful Branches and thanks also to the lovely Pam Jorgensen who shared her card using Thoughtful Branches on Facebook. I have combined your cards and added my own twist!

I had to try Kylie's card too, just because I love it!!

Until tomorrow!

#acardeverydayfor30days - Day 16

I decided to make a card using the guidelines from two of the challenge sites today.

If you would like to see the cards designed by the GDP Design Team or the other entries, click here.

If you would like to see the cards the Paper Players Design Team have added or the other entries click here.

When I saw that #GDP047 was a nautical theme and #PP306 was a Tic Tac Toe and I could use masculine, CAS and enamel dots, it made sense to me to make a card that would fit for both challenges.

Thanks for looking - please leave a comment - it really helps to keep me motivated!!

Until tomorrow!

#acardeverydayfor30days - Day 15

Well, the weather here is dull and gray which started me thinking about colour combinations for today's card. I decided on Smokey Slate, Whisper White and Basic Black as my colour pallette. Some could say they are boring colours to have together, but I wanted them to show warmth - something we all need in cold, wet weather!!

I saw a video on the weekend and have used that as my inspiration for the style of card. The video was by Sherry at www.stampedtreasures.com - so thanks Sherry!

Until tomorrow!

#acardeverydayfor30days - Day 14

Half way - hmmm, wonder if that means I am half way to a new habit, or if it should already be a habit now?

For some reason today I had the following lines stuck in my head:

"The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea 

   In a beautiful pea-green boat"

It should, therefore, be no surprise as to my theme!

I had fun trying out a couple of different techniques and products. Firstly, I used the roundish solid stamp from Swirly Birds to make the moon. Then I masked the moon and used the new sponge brayer to do the sky. I also used one of the Timeless Texture stamps, stamped several times in several different colours to make the sea. Finally, I used an aqua painter and So Saffron stamp pad to make a moonbeam in the water. I have to say, I was pretty happy with the result!

Here is a list of the rest of the products needed to make the card:

Until tomorrow!

#acardeverydayfor30days - Day 13

Almost half way!! YAY!!

I find it very difficult to make a card every day without casing Pinterest. I have been good though. If they are similar to any on Pinterest, it is completely unintentional. I do try to always give credit for any inspiration I get from another source.

I have a warped sense of humour and my card today reflects that. I hope you can see the fun in it!

Until tomorrow!

#acardeverydayfor30days - Day 12

I was going to do another version of yesterday's card, but I have had a busy day and needed something quick and easy!

I think this will be great at my class stack next week too!

Until tomorrow!

#acardeverydayfor30days - Day 11

Another day, another card!! I got another delivery yesterday and it had the Blooms & Bliss DSP which I had been wanting to make a card with! I love the simplicity of this card - just three colours - all co-ordinated!!

I am thinking I may try another one tomorrow with some slight design changes (as well as using different Blooms & Bliss DSP)!

Here is today's fun card!

Until tomorrow!

#acardeverydayfor30days - Day 10

While I was looking for inspiration for today's card, I saw a video Stampin' Up!® CEO Sara Douglass posted today. On the video she makes a card using Thoughtful Branches and a watercolour technique. You can see the video here.

I enjoyed watching and was inspired to make a VERY similar card for today's blog!! Thanks for the idea Sara!!

These are the products I used to make this card:

You are also going to need the Thoughtful Branches bundle which will be available on 02 August 2016! This set will only be available for one month so if you are interested in it, I suggest you order early in the month to be sure of getting it!! You can order from 02 August 2016 through my online store or contact me!

Until tomorrow!!

#acardeverydayfor30days - Day 9

Today is a two for one day! Thoughtful Branches arrived yesterday and today I had a chance to play!

One of my favourite flowers is the hydrangea, I love how you get so many colours in one flower! I think the blue ones have all the colours I love best in them!

So........of course that was the first thing I wanted to make. Here they are.

I have kept them simple as I wanted the flower to be the hero! Isn't it amazing how different they look just by using different coloured cardstock!

Here are the products you will need to make the two cards:

You will also need the Thoughtful Branches bundle which will be available at my online store http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/debmacdowell/ from 02 August 2016.

Until tomorrow!

#acardeverydayfor30days - Day 8

Running a bit late today - it has been quite busy! Still, at least I have made it!

My card today was made for a Fab Friday challenge.

I perused my stamp sets and decided the one that lent itself to the colours the best was my old favourite (and my first purchase) Lovely as a Tree. This is such a versatile set, it just suits every occasion!

You can see the other entries by clicking here.

The products I used to make the card

Don't forget to leave a comment!

Until tomorrow!

#acardeverydayfor30days - Day 7

YAY!!!! Made a week!!! Only 3 more to go!

My card class this week is a challenge and the theme is punch art, so off to Pinterest I went! I had a list of things I wanted: cute, not too easy, lots of punches, something that would appeal to a wide audience (I hope). Then I saw it......soooo cute!!! I can do that! My ladies can do that! It made me smile! My card today was inspired by Ellen Kemper at blinkthinkink.blogspot.com.au - thanks Ellen.

Here is the list of products I used:

Until tomorrow!

#acardeverydayfor30days - Day 6

Almost to the end of the first week!! So far it hasn't been that hard, but then there haven't been any flat chat busy days either! That's always when it gets hardest to motivate yourself.

Today I have decided to enter another challenge. This time it's CAS colours & sketches

You can see the other entries by clicking here.

Until tomorrow!

Day 5 - #acardeverydayfor30days

July is the busiest month for birthdays in our family! It seems we collect friends with birthdays this month too!!

Today's card is for another of my lovely card ladies.

As I said the other day, we have themes for our cards. The theme for this one was wonky dimensionals! It doesn't show well in the photo, but all the mounted pieces are mounted on one side only, or not stuck as well as they should be. The reason behind this theme is that this lady used to forget to use dimensionals when making cards in class! We do like to rib one another a bit!! All in good fun though, no nastiness!

If you would like to make a card like this, the products are listed below. I would suggest using more dimensionals though!!

Until tomorrow!!

Day 4 - #acardeverydayfor30days - Global Design Project #45 | Colour Challenge

Today's card is my entry for this week's colour challenge at Global Design Project #GDP045.

The colour challenge is:

The minute I saw the Wherever You Go stamp set, I immediately thought of sunrise/sunset over water which seemed to lend itself to this challenge very well. What do you think?

I guess it could make great fireworks too - maybe using the baby wipe technique! Hmm, maybe an idea for another day!!

Don't forget to go and see all the other entries - just click here!

Until tomorrow!!

Day 3 - #acardeverydayfor30days

Today's card is one I made for a very special friend for her birthday. She is also one of my card class ladies, so we always set a theme for the cards. The theme for hers was flowers and distressed. Here is my effort.

Until tomorrow!

Day 2 - #acardeverydayfor30days

Well, we are off to a great start!! Two in a row!! Lol.

The products used:

See you tomorrow!!

Day 1 - #acardeverydayfor30days

My plan is to post a card a day for one month (and no, it won't be the same card each day....lol). I need motivation to blog more regularly and thought this would make me more accountable.

As I need a minimum of 16 cards per month for my classes, it will encourage me to be organised for classes too!

How hard can it be? I think I am already starting to regret it....lol.

I don't already have the cards made, that would be cheating!

Okay, here is the first one - Day 1 - #acardeverydayfor30days

Here are the products I used to make it:

Here is my challenge to you - join me - make a card every day for 30 days and post it on your blog! #acardeverydayfor30days

Send me a photo of your cards or a link to your blog, I would love to see what you do too!

Until tomorrow.

Deb

International Blog Highlight - #frommetoyouwhenyouarefeelingblu

Hello again!

Life just keeps taking over at high speed and leaves me behind in it's wake!! I have no idea where the weeks go, let alone the days, hours or minutes....lol

It's time for another International Blog Highlight with Kylie Bertucci. The theme this time is From me to you when you are feeling blu #frommetoyouwhenyouarefeelingblu

Click here to come and see all the wonderful creations! Don't forget to vote for your favourite!!

I had to choose between two cards I had made and eventually chose this one:

The list of product used:

For any of you who are interested, here is the other card I had made

Here are the products used for this card:

Until next time!

Annual Catalogue Launch

Here are some pictures from my very first Annual Catalogue Launch!! 

We started with a lamb roast with all the trimmings, followed by a double chocolate strawberry torte from the Cheesecake Shop (yummy)! A nice way to say 'thanks' to my class ladies.

After lunch we moved on to the craft room to check out the new colours.

We made our own version of the Colour Coach for the 2015 - 2017 and 2016 - 2018 In Colours for the make and take.

Definitely looking forward to doing it all again next year!!

Until next time

Deb

beyondblue Bash

Thank you so much to all the people who helped to make my beyondblue Bash such a wonderful success!! We raised just over $750 which was absolutely amazing!! Special thanks to Stampin' Up!® for their donations of product which I was able to use as prizes/raffles. Also thanks to those who helped bake, serve, organize and prepare!!

Here are a few photos of the day

Stampin' Up!® 2016-2017 Annual Catalogue

How do they expect us to choose only some of  these products? I don't think there is anything I wouldn't be happy to own in this catalogue - well done Stampin' Up!®!

I know I have to pace myself, but they are all so fabulous and I can hear them.........buy me, buy me, you need me, you NEED me, YOU NEED ME!!! Lol 

What are your favourites? I love Artistically Asian, Swirly Birds, Here for You, Flourishing Phrases, Floral Boutique Suite, Bella and Friends and Pretty Kitty. I also want/need all the thinlets/framelits!

I think this has been the best Annual Catalogue I have seen! So much inspiration!

Until next time

Deb

Kylie Bertucci's International Blog Highlight - Theme - Thanks

Hello again! I can't believe it has been 4 weeks since I last posted!

It has certainly been a very busy time for me. My husband and I took a trip to Wallaga Lake NSW (near Bermagui) in our caravan. It was the longest trip we have had since getting the van. We took the dog and cat with us which was quite a challenge. Our dog is a Labradoodle (standard poodle size) and unfortunately still sheds like a normal labrador! He also has developed diabetes and needs insulin injections twice daily. As a result of his diabetes, he has lost quite a lot of his sight so taking him places he doesn't know is challenging!

Our cat is a Ragdoll and is used to being inside 24 hours a day so isn't really any problem when travelling, except for the fact that she cries the entire time she is in the car!

Oh, and did I mention that our dog hates travelling in the car? He has to be lifted in most of the time which causes issues as he weighs 36kg!

All that said though, we had a lovely trip and the animals enjoyed themselves when we weren't travelling!

View to lake from our camp site.

Wallaga Lake and Jetty

Beautiful sunset at Wallaga Lake

The day after we got home, I hosted a beyondblue Bash! I will post some more about this tomorrow! Great outcome though, reached my goal of $750.00 in donations!!! Whoo hooo!!!

Okay, on to the thank you card!! Click here to see all the cards. Don't forget to vote!!!

My card is multi-purpose! I will be using it in my techniques class this week as the example of the stained glass look using crystal effects with re-inkers.

The butterfly is from the Hostess set Best Thoughts and I stamped it in Versamark on window sheet and then heat embossed in black. (Be very careful when using your heat gun for this on window sheet, don't keep the heat on one spot for too long). Then I mixed crystal effects with re-inker and used a toothpick to paint it on the window sheet where I wanted it. Once I had let it dry (lying flat) I cut around the butterfly leaving a bit extra under the bottom which I was able to fold to give the butterfly some dimension!

The flower is from Best Thoughts too and I stamped it in Versamark on whisper white cardstock 9.5cm x 14cm and heat embossed in black. Then I used an aqua pen to add melon mambo all over. I then went back and added rose red and rich razzleberry as highlights! The stem was done with pear pizzazz and old olive.

The greeting was from Fabulous Four and I used the rich razzleberry to stamp it.

Attached whisper white cardstock to perfect plum card base and it was done!

Thanks for looking!!

Cheers

Deb

Kylie Bertucci - International Blog Highlight - Theme Love

Kylie Bertucci has organised another International Blog Highlight and this time the theme is love! Thanks again Kylie!! It was great fun last time and there were lots of fabulous cards entered. Congratulations to the winners! (Click here to see who they were)

My plan was to stay away from the obvious red card......see how well that worked out for me :D

I didn't want to use hearts or make it too obviously a love card.........best laid plans etc....... lol

So here is my not Calypso Coral, not subtle, but boldly Real Red, Hearts and in your face love card!

I used the following products to make my unsubtle love card :)

Thanks for looking!

Until next time

Deb

Kylie Bertucci - International Blog Highlight - Theme Love

Card for Technique Class

Hello!

Today I knew I had to sit down and prepare for some of the classes I have coming up this month and next. The one that was giving me the most grief was a second card for our technique class.

I went on Pinterest to get some inspiration and saw a card by a stamper called Gery. I loved the look of it and thought it would make a great technique!! The website is http://stampingismagic.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/life.html so many thanks to Gery for her wonderful card and website!!

I'm not sure what to call this technique as I don't think the way I have done it is how Gery did it, but I am thinking Sponged Circle would be a good name :)

First, I cut my Whisper White cardstock to 14cm x 28cm and folded it in half. I cut a second piece of cardstock to 14cm x 14cm and cut a circle out using the third larges plain circle from Circles Collection - Framelits (I think it is about 8cm across). A little bit of repositionable tape (I still have some dotto, so I used that, but you could use the two way glue and wait until it dries before using) on the back of the 14cm x 14cm piece of cardstock and attached it to the card as a mask. Then using the cut circle as my template (making sure that you always move it from the same position - ie. have it touching the outside of the circle in the same spot each time you reposition it) I sponged the different colours.

I have made 3 cards using different colours (thought it may be a good idea if not everyone was waiting for the same colour in class) :) I am really happy with the way they have turned out and they were lots of fun to make too!

What do you think??

Thanks for looking!!

Until next time

Deb