Life has thrown me a curve ball.....

Hi blogging friends,

As I type this, I have just returned from hospital having stayed there for 2 days with a family member whilst they had many tests.  They have been admitted and will require surgery but the end result at this stage is unknown.  My heart is heavy and I have had no sleep for those 2 days.   I shall be back at hospital in the morning and what will happen from there is a case of waiting further results.  I hope to continue blogging my cards when I can but it will be sporadic.  I have four cards to share but haven't had time to write up my blog posts for them.

Please bear with me.  My posts will not be filled with hospital details and detailed information about my family member but will be related to my cardmaking which will be my escape from this nightmare - but I shall be very constrained time-wise and may not be able to visit blogs as much as I would love to or respond to emails.  As I am the Primary Care Giver, I must concentrate on family for now and do the simple things like keep washing done and up-to-date and keeping other family members informed along this difficult journey. 

It is hard to believe that only a short time ago, my little world was a happy place - and now it has been turned upside down.  I am very fortunate to have wonderful neighbours in my street and have great support from other family members and my friends plus our Church and an awesome husband who is an incredible tower of support.

Thanks for listening and hopefully I shall get to post something soon!

{{hugs}}
Jocelyn

A masculine 90th birthday card

Hi blogging friends

Last January, I needed to make a 100th masculine birthday card but I chickened out and bought one.  Masculine cards are difficult at the best of times, but a 100th masculine fried my brain and I just couldn't think of anything that I could do for the occasion.  And of course I left it to the last minute to buy one that cost over $6.00 but was such a simple card that I wondered why I hadn't thought of it!  D'oh (as Homer Simpson would say)!!  I had to pay more than what I wanted too because most of the 100th birthday sentiments on the card insides that I checked out sounded more like a sympathy card rather than celebrating such a momentous occasion.  Things like:  'As you look back on cherished memories....."   I don't know - it just didn't fit my recipient as he was as sharp as a tack and worked well into his 90's and was still able to memorize and recite a whole page of technical jargon!   Guess card companies have the same problem as me as I am often stumped to know what to say and after 10 minutes of ruminating and asking DH (who usually just shrugs his shoulders and says "dunno"), I usually write something that sounds so dull and unimaginative like "Happy birthday" - not very original!

So, when faced with a 90th masculine birthday card to send to our cousin in Wales, I was determined to make my own.  And after much searching, I remembered a Scalloped Medallion Tutorial that I had seen over at Splitcoaststampers ages ago (but never got around to doing) which I thought would add a little pizazz to a fairly plain and simple card.  I had also seen Nancy Riley from her blog iStamp make a layered one which I really loved - see this card by Nancy which lists the same measurements for the punched squares of cardstock that I used.  And you can find the SCS tutorial at this link here.  Please note, if you are not a member of Splitcoaststampers, you will not be able to bring up the tutorial.

And this is the card that I ended up with:

I will say that you must be very, very accurate at cutting out the squares of the cardstock layers if you are doing a layered medallion like I did on my card as if you don't, they will not match up very well after punching them which can be very frustrating and they don't look right; it's like seeing a picture hanging crooked on a wall (I am one of those people who has to straighten the picture or it makes me crazy!)   Even a little bit out with your measurements DOES make a difference.  I popped my medallion is up on dimensionals.  It is hard to tell from the photo, but the dark teal layer has been punched with the scalloped border punch just like the duck egg blue layer - it just doesn't show up well.

In a perfect world, I would have had a number 90 in some Thickers (self-adhesive numbers/alphabet sets) on the medallion that matched the cardstock perfectly but none of my sets did, so I just used an old Penny Black sentiment stamp instead which luckily, was just the right size.  This sentiment was stamped with Colorbox Peacock pigment ink and heat-embossed with clear embossing powder.  I lightly inked around the sentiment panel with the same ink.

Just to add a little something to the card but was not over-the-top, I added the 3 green buttons underneath which is old shop stock I inherited from my family's haberdashery business and are over 30 years old.  I had to also keep in mind that the card was going overseas and needed to not be too bulky or it would get damaged or cost alot to post if I had to send it as a parcel in a padded box/bag.

I was actually quite happy with how it turned out in the end after a few mis-punched medallions that ended up in the bin because they didn't line up!  Simple and stylish and easy to make - now that I know how.  Our cousin was so pleased that the card was handmade especially for him, that he rang me here in Australia all way from Wales to say how much he appreciated it.   How awesome!! That sure made my day!! and so glad that I didn't buy a card instead!

Challenges:

I am entering my card in the following challenge -

The Sisterhood of Crafters - Stripes - use striped paper on your card/project.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a fab weekend!

Jocelyn

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Penny Black - 417E A Birthday Wish - released 1997 (retired)

Ink:  Colorbox Peacock pigment

Designer paper:  Little Yellow Bicycle - Vita Bella Collection - Green and Blue Stripes (2008)

Accessories:  Dimensionals, heat-gun, clear embossing powder, 3 x green buttons, green sewing thread, cardstock - dark teal, white, duck egg blue

Punches:  Fiskars scalloped border

A blog award from Roxy

Hi blogging friends

I received a lovely blog award from Roxy of "Roxy's Cards".  Thank you Roxy - I really appreciate it.

"Liebster is a German word, meaning dearest or beloved, but it can also mean favorite. The idea behind the Liebster Blog Award is that it is given to bloggers who have less than 200 followers in order to create new connections and bring attention to these wonderful blogs!"

The Liebster Blog Award is used to show appreciation of smaller blogs (under 200 followers) and to help spread readership and joy!  As part of the tradition, this award is passed along to five other blogs that have motivated and inspired me in such great ways!

To accept the award:

1. Link back to the person's blog who gave it to you and thank them :)
2. Post the award to your blog
3. Give the award to 5 bloggers (less than 200 followers) that you appreciate and value
4. Leave a comment on the five blogs you chose to let them know.

I am passing this award onto Sudha from India.  Sudha's blog is called "Crazy Crafter" and Sudha has been a great supporter and encourager of my blog.

Also Cathy Fong from her blog "Fong Crafty Place".  Love Cathy's unique and fun style and Cathy has just joined the Penny Black Design Team.

Another blog I recently discovered is 'Shien's Paper Arts' by Joe Shien Shien.  Shien Shien is a lady from Indonesia who loves all papercrafts.

Melania Deasy's blog is "Things I love about papercrafting".  Melania also comes from Indonesia and I adore her fun and creative style. 

And the 5th blog is "Stampin' cos it's fun" by Jean McKenzie - a fellow Australian who has also been a great supporter and encourager of my blog - and makes the most gorgeous cards.

I would encourage all my readers to stop by these five blogs - you will be so glad you did!

Thanks for stopping by!   And thanks again Roxy for thinking of me

Jocelyn

Stampendous Bear Safety Pin - a new baby girl card!

Hi blogging friends

One of our neighbours had a baby girl and this is the card that I made for the occasion:

I used my Prismacolor + Derwent Coloursoft pencils and Odourless Mineral Spirits and paper stumps to colour the cute little teddy bear nappy pin image which took oh, all of 5 minutes!   I used my pearlescent chalks to add blue, pink and lemon around the image which added a lovely, sparkly yet subtle sheen - alas, very difficult to pick up with the camera but I hope you can see a little bit of soft colouring - it looks so pretty IRL.   

The sentiment is by Stampin' Up from their Nursery Necessities set.  I added a line of Basic Grey pink rhinestones underneath and used my Arrows Border punch to punch the tiny little pink hearts around the image (the leftover punchies from using the punch look like tiny hearts).  I added some pink Kindyglitz to the bear's cheeks, the pin itself and the tiny pink hearts.  Here is a close-up of that cute little bear:

The gorgeous embossing folder I used on the white cardstock is by K Kingdom called 'Flowers and Dots' which originally came from Fat Cat's Card Corner in Australia but is no longer on their website.  I did a bit of a search on the web, but couldn't find it anywhere.  Maybe it has been discontinued? 

And here is a pic of the card inside which is the same layout as the card-front except that I reversed the colours:

I used the same embossing folder for the pink cardstock and the sentiment is from the same Stampin' Up Nursery Necessities set - there are lots of fantastic sentiments in this set.  I added a Basic Grey pink rhinestone at each end.

Lastly, I added the white dotted pink organza scalloped ribbon (LOVE this ribbon!!), sewed on a pink button and added some Fray Stop to the ribbon ends, then glued on the pink organza flowers which I have had in my stash forever!  They came with the white pearl already sewed on in the centre.

And here is a pic of the gift that will be accompanying my card.  More teddy bears of course......sorry it's such a lousy photo.  I took it really early in the morning and the light wasn't very good at the time.  Just LOVE that cute teddy bear bib and the teddy rattle.  The gift bag was bought as I have no idea how to make such a large bag!

I am entering my card in the following challenges:

Splitcoaststampers - Free for All Friday - F4A100 - Have a heart or two - where you project must have at least 2 hearts.  I have 6 hearts around my image.

Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Simon Says 'Anything goes'

Thanks for taking the time to stop by!

Jocelyn

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Stampendous B061 Safety Pin (wood mount), Sentiments from Stampin' Up! Nursery Necessities

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo black

Accessories:  Big Shot, Spellbinder Circle + Scalloped Circle Nestabilities, K Kingdom Flowers and Dots KEM117 embossing folder (retired?), Prismacolor + Derwent Coloursoft pencils, Odourless Mineral Spirits (OMS), paper stumps, organza ribbon, fray stop, pink flower button (Spotlight), pink sewing thread, pink organza flowers, Basic Grey pink rhinestones, pink Kindyglitz glitter glue, I-Kan-dee pearlescent chalk, cardstock:  KW Doggett 'Knight' white, pink

Punches:  EK Success Arrows border (tiny pink hearts), Stampin' Up! corner

Taylored Expressions: You're my Hero - Girl's Rock!

Hi blogging friends

I have been taking part in an online Card Class called Clean and Simple Cardmaking this month and learning lots of fabulous ideas and it's been great to watch the videos as I am a visual learner.

On Day 5, the class was Watercolour Blocking using Distress Inks and Blending Tool by Jennifer McGuire - and this is my one-layer-card inspired by that class - you might need your sunglasses for this one!

I cannot give you a link to the classes as you have to have paid to view them but here is a link to the website in case you want to check it out and other classes that they have.

To do the vibrant background, I inked up my Ranger Ink Blending Tool/foam pad with Wild Honey Distress Ink, sprayed some water using my Ranger Mini Mister onto my Craft Sheet, put the inked up Blending Tool into the water then dragged it across my watercolour paper.  Using another clean foam pad, I did the same with Worn Lipstick Distress Ink, then did the Wild Honey again, and so on, and so on, until I had covered my watercolour paper.  I love the way the water made the inks blend into each other to create new colours.

Using Versafine Onyx black ink, I stamped the Girl Rock Star image from my Taylored Expressions set "You're my hero" and did the same with the sentiment (note I used my Stamp Positioner to make sure they were in just the right spot).  For any black bits that didn't quite stamp cleanly, I went over them with a black Bic Mark-it texta.

I used the grungy element stamp from the set to the do the 3 corners and stamped several times without re-inking then used my Ranger Tool/foam pad and the Onyx black ink to darken all the edges of the card.

Added the 2 small black brads each side of the sentiment, punched 2 stars from Rose Glitter Cardstock then added the black grosgrain ribbon.  

I will be giving this card to my grown-up niece for her birthday which is in a couple of months time; good to get ahead!

Challenges:

I am entering my card in the following challenges -

The ABC Challenge - H for Happy Birthday which can be cards, gifts, invitations - anything you like

Anything Goes Challenge Blog - Challenge 58 - Anything goes - which runs for 2 weeks

Thanks for stopping by!  I will be sharing a baby card on my next post - watch this space!!

Jocelyn

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Taylored Expressions 'You're my Hero' foam-mounted red rubber

Ink:  Versafine Onyx black, Ranger Distress Inks - Worn Lipstick and Wild Honey

Accessories:  Ranger Ink Blending Tool and foam pads, non-stick craft sheet, Ranger Mini Mister, 2 x black brads - Basic Grey, black grosgrain ribbon, black Bic Mark-it texta, Stamp Positioner, Acrylic blocks, 140lb watercolour paper, Rose glitter cardstock

Punches:  Stampin' Up corner, Carl CP-1 and CP-2 Star punches

Taylored Expressions: You're my hero - nephew's birthday card

Hi blogging friends

One of my grown-up nephew's is a Musician and this is the one-layer card I made for his birthday: 

I broke out one of my more recent purchases from Taylored Expressions called "You're my hero" which is an awesome set - lots of different rock images for guys and gals, sentiments and grungey elements:  very cooool!  This set is rubber mounted with that foam stuff so you will need something to mount it on for stamping eg: acrylic block, and a stamp positioner comes in very handy!  I have no connection to the company other than loving their stamps and dies - fantastic quality and great value for money IMHO.

I inked up the grungey background image with Faded Jeans Distress ink, misted it with water using my Mini Mister then stamped it on my white cardstock base and stamped it again in a different spot (without re-inking) so I had another image but looking more faded.   I then inked up the same image with Wild Honey Distress ink, misted it with water then stamped that over the blue image and then again without re-inking.  Because Distress inks react with water, I ended up with a bit of a mix of the two colours in various spots which I really like.

I rounded the corners on the top and bottom RH corners with a Stampin' Up corner punch then stamped the bottom LH corner and top RH corner the same way I did the grungey background.

I used my Ranger Ink Blending Tool and foam pad with Wild Honey ink and went around the edges of the card then did the same with Faded Jeans ink.

Once I had done that, I used a heat-gun to dry off the card then used my Stamp Positioner to stamp the guitar, guitar neck/fret board and the sentiment using Versafine Onyx Black ink.  I used a black Bic Mark-it texta to colour in the tuners so they would stand out better from the background.

I wanted to add some glittery black stars so punched out some stars from black cardstock, added Kindyglitz Crystalina glitter glue but after it dried, they didn't look as nice as what I hoped as the glittery bits looked all uneven - and then - LIGHTBULB moment - I grabbed a piece of scrap black cardstock and inked it with Versamark Watermark ink, poured on some Polysparkle clear embossing powder and heat-set it.  Voila!   Nice and sparkly but the glitter was set in the embossing powder so a) it wasn't going to come off and go all over the card, and b) it was nice and even - which I hope you can see from the close-up photo below - hey, it looks just like the night sky!!

Then all I had to do was punch out the stars - easy, peasy!  Great way of making some glittery cardstock - and quick - and when you think about it, you have a way of making glittery cardstock in any colour to match your project if you were needing just a small amount for punching or making an embellishment.  If you don't have Polysparkle clear embossing powder, just pour some of the embossing powder into a little container and mix in some glitter and use that.

Here is a close-up of the glittery stars on the card itself:

Lastly, I added two tiny matching raw sienna brads next to the sentiment to balance the card.

Challenges:

I am entering my card in the following challenges -

Crazy 4 Challenges:  C4C118 -  New year….new ‘toys’…..new techniques. Do or use something NEW on your card/project. My 'new' technique is the glitter cardstock I made for punching my stars PLUS I am using this newly purchased stamp set for the first time.

Splitcoaststampers - Ways to use it WT336 - Versamark - from a while ago.  Note SCS Challenges have no time limit - you can play anytime.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great week!

Jocelyn

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Taylored Expressions 'You're my hero'

Ink:  Versafine Onyx black, Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Faded Jeans and Wild Honey, Versamark Watermark

Accessories:   Brads - raw sienna, Polysparkle embossing powder, heat-gun, Ranger Mini Mister, Ranger Inkssentials Blending tool and foam pads (one for each colour), stamp positioner, acrylic block, Black Bic-Mark it, cardstock:  KW Doggett "Knight" white, black

Punches:  Stampin' Up corner, Carl CP-1 (small) star, Carl CP-2 (large) star

My Favourite Cards - July to December 2011

Hi blogging friends

If you missed my last post, I am sharing my favourite cards from 2011.  My last post HERE were my favourite cards from January to June 2011.  And now, I am sharing my favourite cards from July to December 2011.

You can click on any of my photos to have a BIGGER look and if you click on the link in the card name, it will take you to the original post on my blog where you will find the Card Recipe and the details on how the card was made.

*****************************

July saw me playing with a new set of watercolour pencils by Derwent called Inktense - oh how I loved how vibrant they were - and this card entitled "Standing Seagull" I made especially for my husband's birthday. 

In August, I made a birthday card called "Fetching Slippers" for my BIL with my one of my favourite Penny Black stamps called "Fetching slippers" - so cute with the dog wearing the cat slippers.  I would love to have some just like it!

In September/October, I made a Christmas Gift Set for my DD of a card, matching tag and a snowglobe - so fun!  And my DD loved it!

November saw me very busy with making Christmas cards plus I made one birthday card for my nephew's 8th birthday - so I have picked 2 favourites from this month.  First my nephew's birthday card "Dinoraur birthday wishes".  Just loved how it all came together with the textures and colours.

And my other favourite was this Christmas card I made with an Elzybells stamp called "Elzybells Teddy and Snowman".  Just loved that dotty designer paper (I LOVE dotted designer paper) and loved the image as I am also nutty about snowmen and teddy bears!   I gave this Christmas card to my DD's teacher together with some shortbread that my DD and I made together and decorated with red and green M and M's (yum!).

I was very productive in December and made more Christmas cards than I ever have in the past.  I also picked 2 favourites from this month.  The first "And if you ever saw him...." was a clean and simple card that came together quickly and easily using my newest stamp "Dasher" by Stampin' Up!  Just love that stamp! 

And my 2nd favourite card for December was "And the angel said...." which was a card that "happened" when I was in a mad rush to make some extra cards as I still hadn't made enough Christmas cards.  I ended up making this card in silver and purple as well as the gold and made a whole lot of them in one sitting. 

So, that's the end of my favourites for 2011.   Hope you enjoyed my little walk back in time.  Now I am flat out making cards for my extended family's January birthdays - four birthdays in the first 10 days of January - eeeek - plus I am "trying" ("trying" being the operative word!!) to make a masculine 90th birthday card - wish me luck with THAT one!!  I am a little stumped for ideas........

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope to see you again soon!

Jocelyn