Go British at Scrap rendez-vous

There are 3 challenges at Scrap rendez-vous this month, and I wanted to enter all 3, but starting at the 11th hour . . . and don't even know if these 2 will make it in time.

First Valerie's sketch challenge, of which we had a choice of 2, and I chose

and my card is . . .

Then there is the So British challenge. I have been sitting on doing my London album since October last year, to this was the kick I needed. Just loved the vibrant colours in the fabrics of the inspiration . . .

And that's exactly what I spotted at Covent Gardens . . . vibrant colours . . . popsicles . . . hats . . . ties . . . I just was inspired by it!

Family Project.

The box was the kit from Club Scrap (Shadow-in-a-box November 2010) and I needed to assemble it - 2" deep. I am a bit of a philistine in that I mix and match anything from my stash. So I didn't use their paper supplies as they were not the colour I wanted. Just got these perfect papers and flocked lettering the day before in the post! Had fun with the embellishments . . . stamping (Hero Arts & Club Scrap), flowers, silhouette cutouts, pearls, pegs, metalica.

Angle view

The details

This will hang on the wall opposite the 3 photo portraits of the kids.

Play Date Cafe 72

I just love Dina Wakely's work - so inspiring - colourful, free, space to breath, original ! So as her work was the inspiration for this week, I wanted to play along.

Have been waiting the use the Inkadinkado sentiment stamp with just this kind of card. The black artistic lines are from Club Scrap.

Inspired by Simply Create, Alford

I just loved the romantic inspiration and colours of Simply Create, Alford's latest challenge. And there is £100 of goodies up for grabs.

And my take is below, but this will not be able to be entered as I forgot the button!

I will have to play again and use the colour combination, and have a flower and a button!

Half Century Celebrations

Had a wonderful week celebrating! Friends gave me a surprise lunch on Monday, followed by the family dinner celebration; book club party for two 50th, one 60th and one 48th on Wednesday and a party on Friday!

Blues and greens were my theme colours. I used Hero Arts stamps. I was going to do butterflies for ladies, but then I thought it would leave caterpillars for men! So went with jewels instead - as I see my friends as jewels - all differents with different facets yet all so precious. Added a gem to the centre of the doilies. Used the large feminine one (S5317 Starburst lace) for the ladies, and the smaller but more bold one (F5318 Starburst) for the men.

A wonderful evening!



It's a guy thing

This is one of my favourite layouts . . . pretty clean and clear . . . I wanted to give the feeling of the open sky and sea. But with the detail of the woven photo (one colour, one black and white). This brings back the feeling of that afternoon so well.

And if you'd like some blog candy, you can pop over to Nicky to enter your comment for a chance to win.

4" Book & 90 minute scramble

Made this 4" book using the Bind-it-all and the absolutely beautiful Fabscraps papers. I've been dying to get my hands on this set.

Fabscraps is a South African company that has a great paper range amongst the many products they offer. They have just been to their first CHA, where they won an award. Congrats to the Fabscrap team!

The cover was made in layers . . . cardstock, pp, acetate stamped with Staz-On mounted with foam dots to give depth, flower and title also mounted with foam dots.
And some of the inside pages too . . .

And while I was trying to finish this, I realised that the Hero Arts Flickr group 90 minute scramble challenge was running at the same time. Had to make a 2 or more fold Birthday card. I only read the instructions with 30 minutes to go. So CAS this time. Punched border stamped with the antique flower background stamp.

Tuesday Tag - Circles

For this weeks Tuesday tag at Kard Krazy for the theme of circles. I love circles! Love this SU punch  . . .  the bird and branch.

Watercolour effect using Embossing folders

I have finally managed to upload my video.

Digital Lucky Draw

After playing in the Hero Arts Flickr Group 90 minute scramble on Saturday, I got the lucky draw for a Hero Arts Digikit. I've only made one card with a digital stamp before, so I thought it was time to try out the lovely botanical flowers I received. I love the tulip, so I started with that. Of course, the big advantage is that you can change the size . . . and I discovered, also the colour or brightness. I was only working in Word as I've yet to get Photoshop Elements (even though it's been on my wish list for a while).

I discovered you can't colour with any water based medium (pentel, watercolour or distress inks) as it makes the print run.

So the first is with watercolour pencils, without using any water on it. So could have used ordinary pencils if I had them. Printed image quite small, all in a row.

On an off chance I tried Copics (and I'm an absolute beginner), thinking there is no ways they would work. But voila! No problem! Love how the Distress Inks Pumice Stone colour gives a neutral look. Then on the inside I printed on about 80% transparency giving a pale grey so I could stamp my message on top.

And here's the pair so you can see the different sizes