tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67592251682753501132024-03-15T20:27:34.328+13:00Twine AroundMy new adventures into the world of craft!Shona Chambershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842705438453127839noreply@blogger.comBlogger1614125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759225168275350113.post-67194940738661766722022-10-18T09:00:00.083+13:002022-10-18T09:00:00.197+13:00Playing Cards with Friends - Halloween Edition!!<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Well, hello there everybody!! Hard to believe its been just over 18 months since my last blog post but here I am. There have been a few things going on in my life that needed attention, so I had to make the hard choice last year to remove myself from all my DT's except one, and limit myself to just posting on Instagram and Facebook. So I've still been making cards and trying all sorts of new ways to craft.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Recently my friend Michele of <a href="https://icardeveryone.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">I Card Everyone</a> (who I've known since I started my card making adventures around 9yrs ago...) contacted me and asked if I'd like to take part in her 'Playing Cards with Friends' series. She chose the month of October which meant 'Halloween' so I couldn't say no. And also knowing she does this with a blog post I thought it would be a great time to start posting again!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So, Michele gave me some guidelines for the card:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> - Make a Halloween card, scary as you like with a dash of funny</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> - Must use a die, even if just for the sentiment</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> - Colours: Black, green, purple and orange + one of my choice</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> - Here's the Trick: No Pumpkins!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have to tell you, I used to make the craziest Halloween cards that really pushed the boundaries but haven't been able to the past few years. This really got me excited and I LOVE the final result:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0LT0xHcU7GaitoCp2fFMT6c4Lif_MKm-AMM-d0UJVSF_YJwgER6ix2yg4UPCq8JZO0vcGkdg_dR8BX1mmAY3XSIxI703BtAl27ffkECLaHLw6c3VXf-Fhv_CW5DmiVAEw7TjuH9hYzFR0XmMAViV83Acnzbx3Oh_I3PYT2JDZpunX9SxqznG_0hE/s640/Halloween%20Make%20Up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0LT0xHcU7GaitoCp2fFMT6c4Lif_MKm-AMM-d0UJVSF_YJwgER6ix2yg4UPCq8JZO0vcGkdg_dR8BX1mmAY3XSIxI703BtAl27ffkECLaHLw6c3VXf-Fhv_CW5DmiVAEw7TjuH9hYzFR0XmMAViV83Acnzbx3Oh_I3PYT2JDZpunX9SxqznG_0hE/s320/Halloween%20Make%20Up.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Trust me to have teething problems after not blogging all this time......My photo is completely in focus after being 'resized' with Photoshop but as soon as I put it on my blog post its blurry..... I'm so sorry, have retaken the photo 15x but I can't get rid of the blurry.....maybe this is why I stopped blogging. You can see a much better image on my Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shona.chambers/" target="_blank">shona.chambers</a> or Facebook page.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">My colour of choice was the 'red' for blood of course and I did sneak in a little 'blonde' for my poor woman's hair. Goes to show that you can spend hours looking gorgeous for it to then be pointless!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm running over to <a href="https://icardeveryone.blogspot.com/2022/10/playing-cards-with-friends-halloween.html " target="_blank">Michele's Blog</a> now to see what incredibly scary and hilarious card she has come up with. Hope to see you there and thank you so much Michele for getting me excited about card making again. xxxx</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shona<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><br /></span></p>Shona Chambershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842705438453127839noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759225168275350113.post-16580537403391590542021-05-13T18:00:00.093+12:002021-05-13T18:00:00.250+12:00Reminder: TIME OUT Challenge #187<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Wow, what a week its been!! We've gone from ridiculously warm weather in late Autumn (been sleeping with no blankets at night!!), to overnight suddenly 0 degrees (celcius). Talk about a shock to the system and tomorrow morning we might have our first frost....I'm not ready!!!!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoo9ROKc-tMa_wQmchWQEvR_0_fRtroZjag_tGodMcKv3QUyoRh6IaWo6F31GsUPPiB6EBi1ojT-VtGOn7H29GM_NggmAdQGH8Y9C1anypp_Fk67l2EsG66F3hTlD3ldaYQ_P7wOEnEYs/s320/TO+%2523187.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoo9ROKc-tMa_wQmchWQEvR_0_fRtroZjag_tGodMcKv3QUyoRh6IaWo6F31GsUPPiB6EBi1ojT-VtGOn7H29GM_NggmAdQGH8Y9C1anypp_Fk67l2EsG66F3hTlD3ldaYQ_P7wOEnEYs/s0/TO+%2523187.png" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I might need to take a hint from our theme at <a href="http://timeoutchallenges.blogspot.com/2021/05/challenge-187-and-goodbye.html" target="_blank">TIME OUT </a>and keep myself moving to stay warm. This is such a fun challenge theme and the word 'Move' can be interpreted in so many ways. For example you've got body movement, moved by an emotion, maybe moving house.....so many!!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our Sponsor for this challenge is <a href="https://topflightstamps.com/" target="_blank">Topflight Stamps</a> and they are giving the winner a $25 voucher to their store. They have a tonne of products to choose from, I'm super jealous!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCShqcPiCI0hyphenhyphenwusfEfBgNnAdkHVkP4fF8MqM_4aGTN7BZsPxwm_Xe7YsLVuPi5DCD25-Nln6k62BVOIsvH30E6tndA_RWDugGQOS2ITsDmQzuuKUlxPrRSJX9J8Ybwz-gN-1VI3L-hIo/s320/Topflight+Stamps+Logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="152" data-original-width="320" height="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCShqcPiCI0hyphenhyphenwusfEfBgNnAdkHVkP4fF8MqM_4aGTN7BZsPxwm_Xe7YsLVuPi5DCD25-Nln6k62BVOIsvH30E6tndA_RWDugGQOS2ITsDmQzuuKUlxPrRSJX9J8Ybwz-gN-1VI3L-hIo/w200-h95/Topflight+Stamps+Logo.gif" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />I had a completely different idea for the word 'move', its a bit naughty but I love making these sorts of cards:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcttOASGlFvgYeiiQEz7yNYVtfqGPgUn0IfYUXx1uYeLMnKg7G-U7iXGWQ_zbXbDpR7C_GnSLJHFV0QwdN439Je4kLcrJ5S724jwNCGWgoRsasEfguWbvNuFnEfppFJMLBlzl-wR1efcs/s640/TO+%2523+187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcttOASGlFvgYeiiQEz7yNYVtfqGPgUn0IfYUXx1uYeLMnKg7G-U7iXGWQ_zbXbDpR7C_GnSLJHFV0QwdN439Je4kLcrJ5S724jwNCGWgoRsasEfguWbvNuFnEfppFJMLBlzl-wR1efcs/w640-h640/TO+%2523+187.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Can you guess what type of movement I was inspired by??????? If you guessed 'bowel movement' your a winner! I've had this stamp set for months and what could be a better challenge to use them in.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The images are super simple to colour so decided to make a couple of cute note cards instead of one big card. I stamped the images from Simon Says Stamp 'We're like toilet paper' (inspired by COVID toilet paper madness.....) with Versafine Onyx ink on white CS, coloured softly with my Faber Castell Polychromo pencils and fussy cut out.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I created two 3.5 inch square white card bases and adhered squares of black CS on the front. I then popped the images and sentiments on some foam tape for dimension. Instead of pearls I found these cute red resin hearts and little brown bugs (to be little flies) from Loose Lemon Crafts and glued them on. Done!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">You have until Wednesday 19th May to link your projects to the <a href="http://timeoutchallenges.blogspot.com/2021/05/challenge-187-and-goodbye.html" target="_blank">TIME OUT </a>challenge and if your needing any help with ideas, pop over to the blog to see what the rest of the Design Team and our talented Guest Designer Milla from <a href="http://mustesormi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mustesormi</a> have created for you. Can't wait to see all your 'moving' projects in the Gallery!!</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #b4a7d6;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">And on a persona<span></span>l note, you may have seen the message from Sandie, our fearless leader at TIME OUT, sharing that this is her last challenge with us. I'm going to miss her terribly. She has always been so supportive of myself and everyon<span></span>e on the team, and worked so incredibly hard. It won't be the same without her but I know that the girls and I will give our all to keeping the challenge going, not only for ourselves but also all of you, our super-loyal followers. Thank you Sandie for EVERYTHING!!!xxx</span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take care</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shona</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <br /></span></p>Shona Chambershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842705438453127839noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759225168275350113.post-69133444067078733872021-04-29T19:00:00.074+12:002021-04-29T19:00:00.223+12:00Reminder: TIME OUT Challenge #186<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Hi everybody!! Sorry my blog has been rather quiet of late, lots of things going on at home so not much time for crafting but I'm off to my Mum's place this weekend so will definitely get some cards made!!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1E9JvKczfHeyQX8Oz7tPdWnoHEljKTF0JFM5M568cHINrPXDEUf5GtIC-RiR8DP91qdDnzhDJrV3F_ebKXNK5u5ZHP6-t-5oIvR0C-CF-exRqbkESdHrTSl5CtqRxfJFmhcAamn4iMw/s320/Time+Out+Challenge+186.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1E9JvKczfHeyQX8Oz7tPdWnoHEljKTF0JFM5M568cHINrPXDEUf5GtIC-RiR8DP91qdDnzhDJrV3F_ebKXNK5u5ZHP6-t-5oIvR0C-CF-exRqbkESdHrTSl5CtqRxfJFmhcAamn4iMw/s0/Time+Out+Challenge+186.jpeg" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our current challenge at <a href="http://timeoutchallenges.blogspot.com/2021/04/challenge-186.html" target="_blank">TIME OUT </a>is all about 'Pets' which should be a topic that many of us can relate too. You could include animals on your project, make it about your own pets or maybe have a few photos included. Would love to see what pets you all have!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our Sponsor for this challenge is <a href="https://www.newtonsnookdesigns.com/" target="_blank">Newton's Nook Designs</a> which couldn't be more appropriate as they have the cutest little mascot and animal products. They are giving the winner of this challenge a $25 voucher (I'm very jealous....).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0XY-lV7L_bf7aRe-rLIiPTD-PHqSqkTPiJauTrFTfF1-bNqMHv6E-ni_itlJBFOsUEqeEpCtFFsxKeLJaZqCsrrkS4T_jefhC1s_PL8L6bTbPDIqGxVgyTzzmX5JZsFR3i5j9MkxWTA/s200/Newtons+Nook+Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="108" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0XY-lV7L_bf7aRe-rLIiPTD-PHqSqkTPiJauTrFTfF1-bNqMHv6E-ni_itlJBFOsUEqeEpCtFFsxKeLJaZqCsrrkS4T_jefhC1s_PL8L6bTbPDIqGxVgyTzzmX5JZsFR3i5j9MkxWTA/s0/Newtons+Nook+Logo.png" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />For my card I wanted to create a scene which shows off one of the favourite places I love to sit with my dog in the Summertime:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkcUG56upWj6c172t7VrB7Kxenrb561qfrdkkUCtM8OzMYm_GUXtXNeLJnSapKnasG-iIzYK52MNg4ZC6ytak4K-r06ELif0Tfp3DaTFpClKADIf3jKAaIie9q998JKybd2bycvt9mMQg/s640/TO+%2523186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkcUG56upWj6c172t7VrB7Kxenrb561qfrdkkUCtM8OzMYm_GUXtXNeLJnSapKnasG-iIzYK52MNg4ZC6ytak4K-r06ELif0Tfp3DaTFpClKADIf3jKAaIie9q998JKybd2bycvt9mMQg/w640-h640/TO+%2523186.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Unfortunately I don't own any Golden Retriever stamps but this cute little doggie will do just nicely.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lots of colouring for this one!! I stamped all the images (from Funky Fossil Designs) on white CS with Gina K Amalgam Black ink and coloured with my Altenew Artist Markers. I then spent quite a while fussy cutting them out.The tree and its heart leaves are from the 'Heartfelt Tree' set, doggie from the 'More Furry Friends' set and the bee from the 'Bee's Knee's' set.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In Summertime I love sitting in the shade under our two Golden Queen peach trees. I have an old black bean bag and set myself up with my colouring products and my Ipad so I can colour and watch a movie. My dog Bella always comes to sit with me, as does our cat Remy. Its a beautiful place in the shade, especially when the peaches are starting to come ripe.....</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I used two stencils from Funky Fossil Designs ('Scenic Borders' and 'In the Clouds') to create the background, blending over some Distress Ink on the front of a white square card base. I used some foam tape to pop up the images, as well as the white heat embossed sentiment (also from the 'Heartfelt Tree' set). To finish off I added some Wink of Stella to the hearts and glued on some pearls from Loose Lemon Crafts.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm going to link this to the <a href="https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-anything-goes-83/" target="_blank">Simon Says Stamp - Wednesday Challenge</a> where their theme is 'Anything Goes'.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiiL7tvk9IE8Bhf6WK6wfLGzYLXgBLEjPfXoUn311A4eyAqQ6lUwrFzoE3wvksvUYwHMTI-TCY7FiwrTly42Fh_4XLwu9U7oeSgAZOPLXb4j0MQF5vwbrlG91OS44h8xZOsZ8gz0WnZEg/s252/SSS+wednesdayblog-logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="244" data-original-width="252" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiiL7tvk9IE8Bhf6WK6wfLGzYLXgBLEjPfXoUn311A4eyAqQ6lUwrFzoE3wvksvUYwHMTI-TCY7FiwrTly42Fh_4XLwu9U7oeSgAZOPLXb4j0MQF5vwbrlG91OS44h8xZOsZ8gz0WnZEg/w200-h194/SSS+wednesdayblog-logo.png" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /> <br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">You have until Wednesday 5th May to link your projects to the <a href="http://timeoutchallenges.blogspot.com/2021/04/challenge-186.html" target="_blank">TIME OUT </a> challenge. And if your needing any help with ideas, pop over to the blog to see what the rest of the Design Team have created for you. Look forward to seeing your pets in the Gallery!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take care</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shona </span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>Shona Chambershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842705438453127839noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759225168275350113.post-82622330588165810382021-04-15T20:02:00.000+12:002021-04-15T20:02:36.015+12:00Reminder: TIME OUT Challenge #185<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Hi everybody!! It has been a very busy week in the Chambers household, so much so I didn't get this card in to my team on time, hence it isn't on the <a href="http://timeoutchallenges.blogspot.com/2021/04/challenge-185.html" target="_blank">TIME OUT </a>challenge blog post. I'm so sorry!!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgno6wm_CRfnsWPO4HiU6S-RIlfxqXkfgHWfXSbstTW1rc2NkqlI0RcG64RBDDv-Oa66VPVpg5PR1AR89maYvOn_oLhfgtesp7jtfHVblkqUiQYsW_BnISBShzIRqx1RxKkfVlE7UJCf3Q/s320/%2523185.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgno6wm_CRfnsWPO4HiU6S-RIlfxqXkfgHWfXSbstTW1rc2NkqlI0RcG64RBDDv-Oa66VPVpg5PR1AR89maYvOn_oLhfgtesp7jtfHVblkqUiQYsW_BnISBShzIRqx1RxKkfVlE7UJCf3Q/s0/%2523185.png" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We have this gorgeous photo to inspire you for this challenge. How I wish I was sitting in one of those chairs right now, sipping a strawberry daiquiri and reading a good book.... So many ideas to use in this photo, the scene itself, the colours or maybe the beach...totally up to you!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our Sponsor for this challenge is <a href="https://www.kitchensinkstamps.com/shop/" target="_blank">Kitchen Sink Stamps</a> and they are giving a very generous $25 voucher to the winner. So envious!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HpJqOXZikGR-Dr4UUM-511XhZRvBkX1O-ijD5XsFVNB4SnzGYFJCdxnGhuhAWzZk6i3s2vg28bxltTTgCdQlRULfcjDkTeRYkWWVxOsdFtMEofB6Uk-HB3d0k6Y2gyGtWF4jS0wPnLY/s651/KS-Logo-HDRNW-med.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="146" data-original-width="651" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HpJqOXZikGR-Dr4UUM-511XhZRvBkX1O-ijD5XsFVNB4SnzGYFJCdxnGhuhAWzZk6i3s2vg28bxltTTgCdQlRULfcjDkTeRYkWWVxOsdFtMEofB6Uk-HB3d0k6Y2gyGtWF4jS0wPnLY/w400-h90/KS-Logo-HDRNW-med.gif" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />For my card I was totally swept away by the turquoise chairs, the light blue roof and the crisp white of the floorboards and railings. And on top of all that those bright pink flowers had to be included too:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2gUqkuZMTUbdODtPpxOqhQimwmXBDc5Efqjap8tO338XibNyecbL9YsiVrizEQ2_2TwEqcgLuGR3iz6LtVX8LnKSgw8vxNXWaGI6wAwdY_YXiP4tnWqO7apOhLyK2wEvmreuESAAPQk/s640/TO+%2523185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2gUqkuZMTUbdODtPpxOqhQimwmXBDc5Efqjap8tO338XibNyecbL9YsiVrizEQ2_2TwEqcgLuGR3iz6LtVX8LnKSgw8vxNXWaGI6wAwdY_YXiP4tnWqO7apOhLyK2wEvmreuESAAPQk/w640-h640/TO+%2523185.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />This took SO LONG to colour as I've been trying to get more adventurous with my watercolours, along with my pencils. I still have a lot to learn but my colouring is much better than when I started!!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The design for this card is pretty basic as I wanted the colours to be the stars. I stamped the MFT stamps 'Loosely Lined Flowers Background' stamp on some watercolour CS using Gina K Amalgam black ink. I then used my Zig Real Color Brush pens but didn't add them directly to the images. I brushed them on my Tim Holtz/Tonic Studios Glass Mat and used a separate brush and water.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Once it was dry I added more shading with my Faber Castell Polychromo pencils and then added some white with a Sakura Gelly Roll pen. I die-cut this using a die from MFT Stamps 'Blueprints 27', added a panel of white foam behind it and then to a white card base. The sentiment is also from MFT Stamps 'Raving Racoons' and I thought some silver pearls from Studio Katia would add a bit more shine.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm going to link this to the <a href="https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-clean-and-simple-4/" target="_blank">Simon Says Stamp - Wednesday Challenge</a> where their theme is 'Clean and Simple'.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpm-hqgQnVAuwRKqN1I5D7lGWdObB7eHhSr6KwlZn2aoUTxkGObboqpE50t5T6wyHq_8CJyA1JH6nVFG9THBS_-G4Pk-jvi4jC47Wpc8n0k_KNwwaqb39ttgonkJV_we9AhRNXrIdzqI/s252/SSS+wednesdayblog-logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="244" data-original-width="252" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpm-hqgQnVAuwRKqN1I5D7lGWdObB7eHhSr6KwlZn2aoUTxkGObboqpE50t5T6wyHq_8CJyA1JH6nVFG9THBS_-G4Pk-jvi4jC47Wpc8n0k_KNwwaqb39ttgonkJV_we9AhRNXrIdzqI/w200-h194/SSS+wednesdayblog-logo.png" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />You have until Wednesday 21st April to link your projects to the <a href="http://timeoutchallenges.blogspot.com/2021/04/challenge-185.html" target="_blank">TIME OUT</a> challenge. If your needing more inspiration, pop over to the blog to see what the rest of the Design Team and our talented Guest Designer Claire of <a href="https://lifeonthescrapheap.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Life on the Scrap Heap</a> have created for you. Looking forward to seeing your projects in the Gallery!!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take care</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shona </span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>Shona Chambershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842705438453127839noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759225168275350113.post-18069976663754819752021-04-02T15:16:00.000+13:002021-04-02T15:16:10.195+13:00Reminder: TIME OUT Challenge #184<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Hi everyone, sorry this blog post is a little late. I've had a lot going on at home this week that hasn't been good but we are getting there day by day...</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4S9b-VayMPmuUXl4u_iIup0AYUls-U__NvT7Hssgch2MHt7kQeEv-pEsmrwvuZTumnBTQbKe6Sm8L1dX2yydGtjYsj3NCmRIkrs7fSFpZoR-Zqk31bTy4hfzxe81OZTIRUctHuMfPfo/s320/image.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4S9b-VayMPmuUXl4u_iIup0AYUls-U__NvT7Hssgch2MHt7kQeEv-pEsmrwvuZTumnBTQbKe6Sm8L1dX2yydGtjYsj3NCmRIkrs7fSFpZoR-Zqk31bTy4hfzxe81OZTIRUctHuMfPfo/s0/image.png" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">On to much happier topics, we have this wonderful phrase to inspire you this week at <a href="http://timeoutchallenges.blogspot.com/2021/03/challenge-184.html" target="_blank">TIME OUT.</a> There are so many ways you could go with this i.e. choose one word, go with the whole sentence or maybe like me you'll be going with a gardening theme.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our Sponsor is <a href="https://altenew.com/" target="_blank">Altenew</a> and they have a $20 gift voucher for the winner. And you know how many incredible products they have to choose from!!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7PeU_UKldlGoinxhqh0eher2E-HeR4M9sebvlykcXVzL1vurlhsHjKTSicxdZW_StUMTf76nNfgKZTidTc_GZiZ9m_ik-5Rk9-H73YSaiDaoUfXBuhQxnaLIX0EBDN5u-dK4OFdfPQs/s300/Altenew+Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="113" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7PeU_UKldlGoinxhqh0eher2E-HeR4M9sebvlykcXVzL1vurlhsHjKTSicxdZW_StUMTf76nNfgKZTidTc_GZiZ9m_ik-5Rk9-H73YSaiDaoUfXBuhQxnaLIX0EBDN5u-dK4OFdfPQs/s0/Altenew+Logo.png" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Spring time is my favourite time to be in the garden. After the dreariness of Winter and hardly any flowers or growth, seeing leaves popping out of the ground and blossoms on the trees is so exciting. And you can feel Summer isn't far away. Like a lot of you I have lots of floral stamps from Altenew so I could create a 'Spring-time' card:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqva6DzpUu5FmOVi4kG6HUi_ob45Jy_Qv196iRBbeA2f_0djqPR__9BGFy7HcMtcmd6Tfp8Jt4c1EzbBXMU43kFuKied09ptx7qG_XUYlT2YD5DTfzytfqXoV5Ajs8RA-FPMmLLNWEEY/s640/TO+%2523184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqva6DzpUu5FmOVi4kG6HUi_ob45Jy_Qv196iRBbeA2f_0djqPR__9BGFy7HcMtcmd6Tfp8Jt4c1EzbBXMU43kFuKied09ptx7qG_XUYlT2YD5DTfzytfqXoV5Ajs8RA-FPMmLLNWEEY/w640-h640/TO+%2523184.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /> This was a little time consuming but really enjoyed doing all the colouring, even felt like making another one with a different colour combo!!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Firstly I used the <a href="https://altenew.com/products/caps-bold-alphabet-die-set" target="_blank">Caps Bold Alphabet Die Set</a> (from Altenew) with some white CS. I then grabbed three floral Altenew stamp sets that had tiny flowers and leaves: <a href="https://altenew.com/products/beautiful-day" target="_blank">Beautiful Day,</a> <a href="https://altenew.com/products/adore-you-stamp-set" target="_blank">Adore You</a> and <a href="https://altenew.com/products/blooming-bouquet-stamp-set" target="_blank">Blooming Bouquet</a>. I arranged the flowers and leaves over the die-cut letters and stamped with Gina K Amalgam Black ink so I could colour them with my Altenew Artist Markers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">To add some dimension I die-cut the letters again from white CS and also from green, pink and aqua blue CS and glued them together. Using a slimline die from Studio Katia on white CS I cut out a base for the letters and glued them in place and then popped it up on white foam on a card base. The rest of the greeting (from Altenew <a href="https://altenew.com/products/festive-foliage-stamp-set" target="_blank">Festive Foliage</a>) was white heat embossed and put on foam tape, along with some Studio Katia pearls.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm going to link this to the <a href="https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-anything-goes-82/" target="_blank">Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge</a> where their theme is 'Anything Goes'.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqt5_OhBeIwbVIoPMUkJyZr6jbrXR_x_Qvign_XgfjTZrT92N5NdZlwD5zzqbmvUDx0MStgaDxpgurtBIty-ul6-F2rY1ptY_KjC5T4Z6oMwZNo4yn9hCVf7hyphenhyphenKL80SQpp9AtTIHUQl8U/s252/SSS+wednesdayblog-logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="244" data-original-width="252" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqt5_OhBeIwbVIoPMUkJyZr6jbrXR_x_Qvign_XgfjTZrT92N5NdZlwD5zzqbmvUDx0MStgaDxpgurtBIty-ul6-F2rY1ptY_KjC5T4Z6oMwZNo4yn9hCVf7hyphenhyphenKL80SQpp9AtTIHUQl8U/w200-h194/SSS+wednesdayblog-logo.png" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />You have until Wednesday 7th April to link your projects to the <a href="http://timeoutchallenges.blogspot.com/2021/03/challenge-184.html" target="_blank">TIME OUT </a>challenge. And if your needing help with ideas, pop over to the blog to see what the rest of the Design Team and our talented Guest Designer Helen of <a href="https://momentsofcrafting.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Moments of Crafting</a> have created for you. Look forward to seeing your projects in the Gallery!!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take care</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shona <br /></span></p>Shona Chambershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842705438453127839noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759225168275350113.post-10593192619571234242021-03-25T20:54:00.000+13:002021-03-25T20:54:10.114+13:00Spring/Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop 2021 - Take two!<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Hi everyone!! It was very exciting this morning as the clouds tried to rain. It drizzled for about two hours and I really thought with the sky being so black that rain was going to pour down. But no, the drizzle stopped and the sun came out. Bummer.....back to watering my garden with the sprinkler again....</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKbXaOPSjEAVmQzHIe5ikaNZFSnPZnqiqC_wNGRjggTOzpvHl_e7NKGqc6-f8wEZ3icxAI60v_dne5JExb3d9pKucPbtYftSTukZ4LIR8nmvdZG1z_5WN7yZk7zRlRLPSgVIlYahm__Q/s1080/2021-Spring-Summer-hop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKbXaOPSjEAVmQzHIe5ikaNZFSnPZnqiqC_wNGRjggTOzpvHl_e7NKGqc6-f8wEZ3icxAI60v_dne5JExb3d9pKucPbtYftSTukZ4LIR8nmvdZG1z_5WN7yZk7zRlRLPSgVIlYahm__Q/s320/2021-Spring-Summer-hop.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are a few more days left of the <a href="http://coffeelovingcardmakers.com/2021/03/2021-spring-summer-coffee-lovers-blog-hop/" target="_blank">2021 Spring/Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop</a>, so many incredible projects have been entered, almost makes me want to try a cup of coffee!!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH37gwzTmu-SUmMc-JWt0b0aSvQ6yPVYC7fKOupIa19txg-tgfj2tH9t-AWfNhBzM97lgYJ71YdG-ApMl26CoQ1Q3B8j1_pJMLfTe4zeRGjhkXE_2Rt6F5CpMQF_S-uLsmjtt4uvrqIgQ/s929/Funky+Fossil+Designs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="929" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH37gwzTmu-SUmMc-JWt0b0aSvQ6yPVYC7fKOupIa19txg-tgfj2tH9t-AWfNhBzM97lgYJ71YdG-ApMl26CoQ1Q3B8j1_pJMLfTe4zeRGjhkXE_2Rt6F5CpMQF_S-uLsmjtt4uvrqIgQ/s320/Funky+Fossil+Designs.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />As I mentioned in my last post <a href="https://www.funkyfossil.co.uk/" target="_blank">Funky Fossil Designs</a> are one of the Super Sponsors for the hop. I was in a water-colouring mood so grabbed some of their floral stamps:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEjTb57Eq19vIeYKFtHmr4VtSyZxr2CwFgxP9kBWEtAOwQ0i7Ti0MDRoZLfOkRglmXUXLRr8WvmHXUy5KAd_I6fhy07DnD7nvck_Z8fE8G0wHy68m6ZdWFhybx-V18zatWnYqSd7T5Vc/s640/FF+Buzz+Coffee+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEjTb57Eq19vIeYKFtHmr4VtSyZxr2CwFgxP9kBWEtAOwQ0i7Ti0MDRoZLfOkRglmXUXLRr8WvmHXUy5KAd_I6fhy07DnD7nvck_Z8fE8G0wHy68m6ZdWFhybx-V18zatWnYqSd7T5Vc/w640-h640/FF+Buzz+Coffee+card.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />I've often heard people refer to coffee as 'giving them a buzz' so thought that would make a great idea for a card.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">First off I stamped the bee's from <a href="https://www.funkyfossil.co.uk/product-page/bees-knees-clear-stamp-set-a5" target="_blank">'Bees Knees'</a> and the cup from <a href="https://www.funkyfossil.co.uk/product-page/pugs-and-hugs-clear-stamp-set" target="_blank">'Pugs and Hugs'</a> (the cup actually has a little pug sitting in it but was able to fussy cut him out) with my usual Gina K Amalgam black ink on white CS, coloured with Altenew Artist Markers and fussy cut out.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The floral wreath from <a href="https://www.funkyfossil.co.uk/product-page/blooming-wreath-a6-clear-photopolymer-stamp-set" target="_blank">'Blooming Wreath'</a> was also stamped in the same black ink but on TAD watercolour CS. I then used my ZIG Real Color Brush Markers, some water and a brush to colour everything in. Once it was dry I used a white gel pen and black fineliner to add some details to the flowers. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I cut the panel down to a square and added to a white square card base that had a panel of black CS adhered to it. I used a piece of black foam to give it some dimension. I then put the cup and bee's on some foam tape, as well as the white heat embossed sentiment (also from 'Bees Knees'). And for a bit of sparkle I covered the bees in Wink of Stella.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Think I'll set myself up in front of the tv now and watch a movie. I've been watching so many older movies of late like Face Off, Armageddon...can't seem to get enough of the 90's. Will have to see what Netflix or Disney can fix me up with tonight!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take care</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shona</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <br /></span></p>Shona Chambershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842705438453127839noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759225168275350113.post-12660500830076945842021-03-23T19:38:00.000+13:002021-03-23T19:38:21.048+13:00Spring/Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop 2021<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Hello there!! Its been a beautiful day today, lots of sunshine and not much wind, just enough to get the washing dry. A stark contrast to yesterday where there wasn't a breath of wind (was quite eerie, it was so still) and very dark and cold. Dave was tempted to light the fire but I told him to put another layer on instead. We usually don't start lighting the fire until mid to end of April, if we start now we will run out of wood. The joys of Autumn....<br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6amSFwM6ukttWYdb9u8qI3cgY7z6_KWf9krz0BMElHeRimKVOCzm2HTweeueS1DAscgpuerbDfRJfhaRKNOWsPgQBUGiykAAEqi_MysfMeWMMcpc7WGy1prqJmY-lWf1RFQKJhYQzBE/s1080/2021-Spring-Summer-hop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6amSFwM6ukttWYdb9u8qI3cgY7z6_KWf9krz0BMElHeRimKVOCzm2HTweeueS1DAscgpuerbDfRJfhaRKNOWsPgQBUGiykAAEqi_MysfMeWMMcpc7WGy1prqJmY-lWf1RFQKJhYQzBE/s320/2021-Spring-Summer-hop.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm one of those strange people who doesn't drink coffee or tea.....or water (makes me feel sick), however I always get excited when the <a href="http://coffeelovingcardmakers.com/2021/03/2021-spring-summer-coffee-lovers-blog-hop/" target="_blank">Coffee Lovers Blog Hop</a> comes around. With all the incredible coffee and tea related products that are produced now, the projects are amazing and there are oh so many to see!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOKah5_cCNCwLgL0t0HvT8E8M2ANzhajuM_rDeGbEOBCe5fLxzpjjweVj4RvaW6ske6wnQbydQoxE49pwVu64KbZILM09wBbSKJanPXhYkqto08sAMJm_r05JXS0DkeOqSt9Sk3_1bq4/s929/Funky+Fossil+Designs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="929" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOKah5_cCNCwLgL0t0HvT8E8M2ANzhajuM_rDeGbEOBCe5fLxzpjjweVj4RvaW6ske6wnQbydQoxE49pwVu64KbZILM09wBbSKJanPXhYkqto08sAMJm_r05JXS0DkeOqSt9Sk3_1bq4/s320/Funky+Fossil+Designs.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><a href="https://www.funkyfossil.co.uk/" target="_blank">Funky Fossil Designs</a> are one of the Super Sponsors of the hop and are giving away a $25 GBP gift voucher to their store. I wanted to create a coffee card using their products and came up with an idea to use some of my favourite images:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_7LfwRZ-eTP2EGdw94uwOhWUsfF1uizNj7lSI6eILI7H_NIyVrRp6pZrm6UAp23s197QpJjXLNiDKx8pZ7QflPEf1xnm2ROHS74vEVT6yOcm8VzG2E6brw3KnLhVpULBqfa52V6Ec8s/s640/FF+Snail+Coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_7LfwRZ-eTP2EGdw94uwOhWUsfF1uizNj7lSI6eILI7H_NIyVrRp6pZrm6UAp23s197QpJjXLNiDKx8pZ7QflPEf1xnm2ROHS74vEVT6yOcm8VzG2E6brw3KnLhVpULBqfa52V6Ec8s/w640-h640/FF+Snail+Coffee.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />I've used these mushrooms and toadstool images so much its a wonder they still stamp! I really enjoyed putting this all together and I'm gradually getting more confident adding my own little details with a pen.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I started by stamping the mushrooms/toadstools from the <a href="https://www.funkyfossil.co.uk/product-page/bees-knees-clear-stamp-set-a5" target="_blank">'Bee's Knees'</a> and <a href="https://www.funkyfossil.co.uk/product-page/a5-clear-photopolymer-stamp-set-whimsy-town" target="_blank">'Whimsy Town'</a> stamp sets with Gina K Amalgam Black ink on white CS, colouring with my Altenew Artist Markers and fussy cutting out. I did the same with the snail from the <a href="https://www.funkyfossil.co.uk/product-page/a6-clear-photopolymer-stamp-set-snail-mail" target="_blank">'Snail Mail'</a> set and the cup from <a href="https://www.funkyfossil.co.uk/product-page/sew-lovely" target="_blank">'Sew Lovely'</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">For the background I blended Distress Ink 'Twisted Citron' over the card front using the <a href="https://www.funkyfossil.co.uk/product-page/slimline-landscape-stencil" target="_blank">'Slimline Landscape'</a> stencil. I left a gap along the bottom and blended Waffle Flower 'Coffee Loves Milk' for the pathway. To create pebbles I dotted the path with brown Altenew Markers. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Once I worked out where the images would sit I decided to ground them a bit by blending some 'Mowed Lawn' Distress Ink using one of my new Altenew Detail Blending Brushes. It was fantastic for adding a little bit instead of scrunching up a blending pad. I also used a dark green marker to make some little grass blades. Before adding the images with foam tape, I blended some 'Salty Ocean' Distress Ink for the sky, leaving it 'unblended' in spots to add some interest. To finish off I popped the sentiment (from the 'Snail Mail' set) on foam tape.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Starting to get dark, even though its only 7.30pm. We only have daylight saving until April 3rd so making the most of it to water my garden. We haven't had any rain for weeks, hoping now the weather is getting colder the rain clouds will return....</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take care</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shona</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>Shona Chambershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842705438453127839noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759225168275350113.post-53367735982842457822021-03-18T20:00:00.079+13:002021-03-18T20:00:06.994+13:00Reminder: TIME OUT Challenge #183<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Hello there!! I've been busy in my own garden today, pruning my peach trees and removing my swan plants (the plants that monarch butterflies eat and lay their eggs on). After all my caterpillars died from the virus 'Black Death', I thought it best to remove the plants as they probably still have remnants of the virus on them. I'm not sure if I will put more swan plants in for next season yet, having all of them die was quite traumatic, not sure if I want to go thru that again.....</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpWXsBAcd9KQo7wba2F5laumsWagMVBS1E5Xhfu-XAm4aRupqWbF2KEaE-MCKgquLvjN0XZsSeieatZmHShD6FwVsvJecJS2wN5rXsPI_Gg3bRJ9K-fEtxlbRkm6FeDwTYsaXdALovz8/s320/%2523183.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpWXsBAcd9KQo7wba2F5laumsWagMVBS1E5Xhfu-XAm4aRupqWbF2KEaE-MCKgquLvjN0XZsSeieatZmHShD6FwVsvJecJS2wN5rXsPI_Gg3bRJ9K-fEtxlbRkm6FeDwTYsaXdALovz8/w200-h200/%2523183.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">On to much happier things, the theme for the current <a href="http://timeoutchallenges.blogspot.com/2021/03/challenge-183.html" target="_blank">TIME OUT </a>challenge is 'Different'. There are a myriad of ways you could interpret this on your project. You could try a different technique, use different colours or maybe show off something different about yourself....its totally up to you!!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our Sponsor for this challenge is <a href="https://www.funkyfossil.co.uk/" target="_blank">Funky Fossil Designs</a> and they are giving a 15 GBP voucher to the winner. They have recently had a new release and have an amazing number of products to choose from.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFd8Ttk4JSvuCntS35kkHS-hikIq7LgykLmVxREKLlBBbJCRc6JVYOgY-pKi2UVUc5NPVHSgG2ECEJRVlkuqGoIEpgGlbghsoHgtUPVPhzrsLWwzAR_lVQzsdqfIe919akvNyXkR6EClU/s929/Funky+Fossil+Designs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="929" height="88" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFd8Ttk4JSvuCntS35kkHS-hikIq7LgykLmVxREKLlBBbJCRc6JVYOgY-pKi2UVUc5NPVHSgG2ECEJRVlkuqGoIEpgGlbghsoHgtUPVPhzrsLWwzAR_lVQzsdqfIe919akvNyXkR6EClU/w200-h88/Funky+Fossil+Designs.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /> I'm extremely lucky to be on the Design Team for <a href="https://www.funkyfossil.co.uk/" target="_blank">Funky Fossil Designs</a> and wanted to try out some 'different' make up designs on a certain stamp set:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MtTjVBWaY56wLR6o_VeK_ObClxiYdhrwjceUGtCk8NyfsbeRuJ-KHnHzQwmcj6VXfFJFinC12uE4TJ0eryC1ytvw1afewFTAOPnhUjCTCbtw0EehvAWusBRE8PjXcW0AGMf-B1W9u90/s640/TO+%2523183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MtTjVBWaY56wLR6o_VeK_ObClxiYdhrwjceUGtCk8NyfsbeRuJ-KHnHzQwmcj6VXfFJFinC12uE4TJ0eryC1ytvw1afewFTAOPnhUjCTCbtw0EehvAWusBRE8PjXcW0AGMf-B1W9u90/w640-h640/TO+%2523183.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is quite a different type of card for me. I'm usually all about pastel colours with lots of white space. Wanted to try a different style and had so much fun doing the make-up...</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I started off by stamping the girls face from the Funky Fossil Designs <a href="https://www.funkyfossil.co.uk/product-page/she-is-fierce-a5-stamp-set" target="_blank">'She is Fierce'</a> stamp set using Gina K Amalgam black ink on some Strathmore Watercolour CS. I then, very carefully and very slowly, used my Kuretake Zig Real Color Brush Markers to bring her to life. I'm very inexperienced with doing skin for any colouring but took my time and was amazed I could get the blush to work along with some shadowing on her face. Once she was dry I fussy cut her out.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Keeping with the 'dark' theme I die-cut a circle of white CS with a die from Couture Creations and then stamped one of the border stamps from Funky Fossil Designs <a href="https://www.funkyfossil.co.uk/product-page/doodle-borders-a5-stamp-set" target="_blank">'Doodle Borders'</a> across it using Versafine Onyx ink. After adhering a panel of black CS to the card front, I put the circle on a piece of black foam and put the girl on some foam tape. To finish off I added a sentiment from Funky Fossil Designs <a href="https://www.funkyfossil.co.uk/product-page/small-print-a6-stamp-set" target="_blank">'Small Print'</a> and some Studio Katia pearls. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">You have until Wednesday 24th March to link your projects to the <a href="http://timeoutchallenges.blogspot.com/2021/03/challenge-183.html" target="_blank">TIME OUT </a>challenge. And if your needing help with ideas, pop over to the blog to see what the rest of the Design Team and our talented Guest Designer Lisa of <a href="https://www.papermountainparcels.com/" target="_blank">Paper Mountain Parcels</a> have created to inspire you. Can wait to see your 'different' projects in the Gallery!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take care</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shona</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <br /></span></p>Shona Chambershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842705438453127839noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759225168275350113.post-46345958209304754672021-03-17T20:46:00.000+13:002021-03-17T20:46:27.028+13:00Happy Birthday Waffle Flower!!<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Hi everyone!! Its been a lovely warm day and got a lot of gardening done. We still haven't had any decent rain yet for months, so everything is looking rather parched....</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw52RxOC27rWPzIkRa7BqKGItUqlQdz03CACcoK6vcck_hrOKwqO1n6He71NdUgsCFhb9lF1dTXESHbaqqI_gAxprosMNP3I3J2mfgpxWPDbC8qmAcEnbEZoZeLGfqdInxRsWzR-pU5_g/s399/waffle-flower-logos-03_a3c01033-0022-4c83-ab67-cf2aa4f3b12e_400x.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="113" data-original-width="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw52RxOC27rWPzIkRa7BqKGItUqlQdz03CACcoK6vcck_hrOKwqO1n6He71NdUgsCFhb9lF1dTXESHbaqqI_gAxprosMNP3I3J2mfgpxWPDbC8qmAcEnbEZoZeLGfqdInxRsWzR-pU5_g/s320/waffle-flower-logos-03_a3c01033-0022-4c83-ab67-cf2aa4f3b12e_400x.webp" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://waffleflower.com/" target="_blank">Waffle Flower</a> are celebrating their 7th birthday. I still remember when they started and I'm so happy they have become so popular. For their birthday they have a blog hop (which I totally recommend) and giveaways. They also have a <a href="https://waffleflower.com/blogs/challenges/link-party-celebrating-7-years-with-waffle-flower" target="_blank">Linky Party</a> where you can add your own favourite Waffle Flower projects from over the years. I've just spent a couple of hours looking at all my WF cards on my blog and Instagram, reminiscing about how I made them and being grateful my colouring skills have gotten a lot better!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I scrolled back to the beginning of my Instagram account and found that the second card I shared back on the 6th August 2015 was this:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBC_okAGE0Fvr6NU9qH5K_ZU7Tvt9aY4NRcH0WQjNgDLOXKDAoeksr00-0a_6Xv-L7xTtRv9jtDPEs1zehNMgPQxcz7TSeoINlxR1KF4s0T-zlTUkiiD7itPkwpn2rzS5OWxHk9txmIIs/s640/IMG_E0576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="640" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBC_okAGE0Fvr6NU9qH5K_ZU7Tvt9aY4NRcH0WQjNgDLOXKDAoeksr00-0a_6Xv-L7xTtRv9jtDPEs1zehNMgPQxcz7TSeoINlxR1KF4s0T-zlTUkiiD7itPkwpn2rzS5OWxHk9txmIIs/w640-h632/IMG_E0576.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Sorry the photo isn't perfect, I had to take a screen shot and download on to my computer as I couldn't find the original...</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I still actually remember making this card! I had won the stamp set and matching dies from participating in a Waffle Flower Challenge and spent ages with my cheap pencils, trying to colour with shading etc. I still think its a cute card and I'm not too embarrassed by it (some others I looked at are awful...) and it would seem Waffle Flower has been a part of my life for a few years.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have a few other WF cards to share with you that I still love to this day. That was when I seemed to have more time on my hands and spent hours working out die-cutting creations. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here's to many more years of Waffle Flower!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take care</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shona</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <br /></span></p>Shona Chambershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842705438453127839noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759225168275350113.post-43758184491095836782021-03-16T13:49:00.002+13:002021-03-16T13:49:35.988+13:00Rosies Studio - Seahorse fun<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Hello there!! The weather has been doing all sorts of crazy things of late. The last few days have been really hot and sunny but this morning I woke up to rain, which pretty much stopped by lunchtime and now its boiling hot again with lots of cloud. Talk about bizarre!! So I didn't end up by doing any gardening today but its given me a chance to catch up on all sorts of jobs I keep putting off at home....</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9PAXWTShbkOKdhQTpG6Mu_F074GZ8fd44kLgX6uf111wmmT1pum_BjuheXy3hG1WwKz4R3JErBrdUvLV_QXqxcX8dvQxv4X7uczm6qyqt2UtxDeoy_ttLQ_knf7P6ZqwqjnYyqBX-DA/s300/Rosies-Studio-Logo-2-300x111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="111" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9PAXWTShbkOKdhQTpG6Mu_F074GZ8fd44kLgX6uf111wmmT1pum_BjuheXy3hG1WwKz4R3JErBrdUvLV_QXqxcX8dvQxv4X7uczm6qyqt2UtxDeoy_ttLQ_knf7P6ZqwqjnYyqBX-DA/s0/Rosies-Studio-Logo-2-300x111.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">You will have seen me use products from <a href="https://www.rosiestudio.com/" target="_blank">Rosie's Studio</a> over the years on my cards. They are a small craft company based in Auckland, New Zealand. They come out with around 7 collections each year with stamps, papers, stickers etc. Their stamp sets have gotten so much better over the years and I always try to get my hands on them. And the price of them is phenomenal!!<br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> One of their latest collections is <a href="https://www.rosiestudio.com/product-category/collections-salt-sunsets/" target="_blank">'Salt and Sunsets'</a>, I really loved the stamp set as it has a large seahorse image. I got it last week and spent some time over the weekend colouring. I don't make many 'under the sea' scenes so this one was a bit of an experiment:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZnLp1qgaf1gbyWVhwRvP5usWpNyNRCQ0nN80T2oTQGp0N3Ap1RX3oqMEFFngVHk3300IUj0vRjnyBAtS8jmifLluZ6Ewl8TImUbkv0KcHctmM8IdsCXfS5goSpY7nk8QJeLKAyDIzQ4/s640/Rosies+Seahorse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZnLp1qgaf1gbyWVhwRvP5usWpNyNRCQ0nN80T2oTQGp0N3Ap1RX3oqMEFFngVHk3300IUj0vRjnyBAtS8jmifLluZ6Ewl8TImUbkv0KcHctmM8IdsCXfS5goSpY7nk8QJeLKAyDIzQ4/w640-h640/Rosies+Seahorse.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /> I was trying to create the effect of sun-rays in the water. I watched a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNWMj1dkuoo" target="_blank">YouTube video</a> by 'Much Love, Sara' which was so beautifully done. She used Distress Oxide inks and small blender brushes. I don't have any little brushes and not the right colours in Oxide inks, so I did what I could with normal Distress Inks. Pretty pleased with my first attempt!! </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">First off I stamped the images with Gina K Amalgam black ink, coloured with Altenew Artist Markers and fussy cut out. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I cut a panel off Strathmore Bristol Smooth CS and blended lots of blue and green distress inks, finishing off with a little black around the bottom edges for depth. I then flicked over some water (ended up with some bigger blobs than I wanted...) and pressed with tissue paper. After working out where the seahorse would sit, I stamped on some tiny blue fish. I also stamped some seaweed on white CS and because I couldn't cut them out without lots of white CS showing, I blended over some of the distress inks. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I trimmed the panel down slightly and popped up on a piece of white CS. I glued all the seaweed, shells and starfish into place. The seahorse was put on foam tape, along with the sentiment (from the same stamp set). To finish off I added some Studio Katia pearls and put lots of Wink of Stella on the seahorse, shells and starfish.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm going to link this to the <a href="https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-a-bit-o-green/" target="_blank">Simon Says Stamp - Wednesday Challenge</a> where their theme is 'A Bit O'Green'. This is my 2nd entry.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnLQL_MNnh4Hjwcn8UuideIl3oBAmrs-BFw25d86qezdGurfEtI69ARYlkqwjsLAoZh03KnDrGwArJELDbytYocn4op9rznKlEqXqiL1bFqSZ__7dpw8MdTQknreB7_eCOolJXLD_bXE/s252/SSS+wednesdayblog-logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="244" data-original-width="252" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnLQL_MNnh4Hjwcn8UuideIl3oBAmrs-BFw25d86qezdGurfEtI69ARYlkqwjsLAoZh03KnDrGwArJELDbytYocn4op9rznKlEqXqiL1bFqSZ__7dpw8MdTQknreB7_eCOolJXLD_bXE/w200-h194/SSS+wednesdayblog-logo.png" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />I'm off to the supermarket now (seem to go there every day.....) and will then pick up Max from College. Phoebe has been trying the Vegan way of eating again and I found a recipe for Oatmeal Vegan cookies today, so might give those a go when I get back. Sure would be easier if the whole family went vegan so I didn't have to do separate meals. I could easily go vegetarian but I would miss my dairy products!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take care</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shona</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <br /></span></p>Shona Chambershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842705438453127839noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759225168275350113.post-40405056949188195972021-03-14T11:43:00.000+13:002021-03-14T11:43:58.610+13:00Funky Fossil Designs - Maya Angelou<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Hello everybody!! Its Sunday here in New Zealand and its the most gorgeous, sunny, non-windy day. I'm about to go out and enjoy the sunshine while trimming some hedges and listening to my Spotify (Juice World and Foo Fighters get me in a hacking sort of mood....). Suddenly remembered that I shared a card the other day on my Instagram and Facebook but not on my blog!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZftmpJAyEZI92UAIpsj7d-DMo57bEBcS4r0zlTHKh0U_4qGK1u557KkYusonSTc8csEDh1vu-im8lV9br9YX0EzGdu_GVXIkWZ7D9X30e4cWtEdyn5lVYmqoQblHA8_J15A60aYV5iBE/s929/Funky+Fossil+Designs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="929" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZftmpJAyEZI92UAIpsj7d-DMo57bEBcS4r0zlTHKh0U_4qGK1u557KkYusonSTc8csEDh1vu-im8lV9br9YX0EzGdu_GVXIkWZ7D9X30e4cWtEdyn5lVYmqoQblHA8_J15A60aYV5iBE/s320/Funky+Fossil+Designs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.funkyfossil.co.uk/" target="_blank">Funky Fossil Designs</a> recently had a new release and I really like to see how I can incorporate the new stamp sets with the older ones:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gsk9dvBPRKZYsSABa-LYSiJLMyUYrms3VzAA0aTZ6GxcqsR5ReRfi6B4exKG886Elas6cfEp14T3fky_XPYqP7yV173vgN70XbXLV4T1l5bYea6q3ZpBr_p32Ngx4F55h93sr6wFIdI/s640/FF+Maya+Angelou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gsk9dvBPRKZYsSABa-LYSiJLMyUYrms3VzAA0aTZ6GxcqsR5ReRfi6B4exKG886Elas6cfEp14T3fky_XPYqP7yV173vgN70XbXLV4T1l5bYea6q3ZpBr_p32Ngx4F55h93sr6wFIdI/w640-h640/FF+Maya+Angelou.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />After making this card it reminded me how much I love to use navy and that I should try to use it more instead of black.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Firstly I adhered a panel of navy CS to the front of the card. I then cut a slightly smaller panel of white CS. Using a tree image from the <a href="https://www.funkyfossil.co.uk/product-page/a6-clear-photopolymer-stamp-set-winter-wonderland" target="_blank">'Winter Wonderland'</a> set and my trusty MISTI, I stamped the tree across the bottom of the panel. I used inks from Waffle Flower and Hero Arts, starting with the lighter colours first so they were in the background. It sounds funny but I don't often 'over-stamp' images, doesn't feel right, like I'm making a mistake but I'm in love with this effect.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I stamped the bird from the new <a href="https://www.funkyfossil.co.uk/product-page/bird-song-a5-stamp-set" target="_blank">'Bird Song'</a> stamp set with Gina K Amalgam Black ink on white CS, coloured with Altenew Artist Markers and fussy cut out. I also added some details with a white gel pen. I popped him up on the card with some foam tape, along with the white heat embossed sentiment from the same set. And of course I had to finish off with some Studio Katia pearls.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm going to link this to the <a href="https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-a-bit-o-green/" target="_blank">Simon Says Stamp - Wednesday Challenge</a> where their theme is 'A Bit O'Green'.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga08escfSMSWbvn8HgF_ml9xDv9ds1ung1Lg-Xg69gMMpNr2V_4IiTkXOVNeulNdslh2tT6ZC1pwepH7DsWP8wVluzWjj7-uX7d2EffMBt5GzVJ-Sk9JajwbHApiuteNP9uyEla8VZvUg/s252/SSS+wednesdayblog-logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="244" data-original-width="252" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga08escfSMSWbvn8HgF_ml9xDv9ds1ung1Lg-Xg69gMMpNr2V_4IiTkXOVNeulNdslh2tT6ZC1pwepH7DsWP8wVluzWjj7-uX7d2EffMBt5GzVJ-Sk9JajwbHApiuteNP9uyEla8VZvUg/w200-h194/SSS+wednesdayblog-logo.png" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />My husband Dave has been in Christchurch since Friday for a family members wedding. He's on his way back now driving and sent me a msg to say he had picked up my precious cargo.....my order from Donut King....so can't wait for him to get home. My tummy will be waiting!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take care</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shona</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <br /></span></p>Shona Chambershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842705438453127839noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759225168275350113.post-73006434846176105982021-03-04T20:00:00.098+13:002021-03-04T20:00:06.319+13:00Reminder: TIME OUT Challenge #182<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Hello there!! We are celebrating a HUGE birthday over at <a href="http://timeoutchallenges.blogspot.com/2021/02/challenge-182.html" target="_blank">TIME OUT </a>challenges. Its our 7th birthday and I've actually been part of the Design Team for 6.5years. Hard to believe so much time has gone by and I've loved every minute of it. And also so exciting to see how popular the challenge has become over the years, and that we have so many people who play with us a lot, which is such an honour for our team. Thank you so much everybody for your support and here's to many more years of challenges!!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxHDHMJ7jeiEA7jSriHfQgSdfAfNO1bxItSizXRFQowWIeAO3uFaO4hMTZBgPnuZH9gmSJpWPHU5js0A4Z9WseTi1YtFwFHifz66bJDlwHIPfvbNPSp2Q47LmUWna4I-rXsgOk8Aa5T4/s320/%2523182.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxHDHMJ7jeiEA7jSriHfQgSdfAfNO1bxItSizXRFQowWIeAO3uFaO4hMTZBgPnuZH9gmSJpWPHU5js0A4Z9WseTi1YtFwFHifz66bJDlwHIPfvbNPSp2Q47LmUWna4I-rXsgOk8Aa5T4/w200-h200/%2523182.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">So for our 'birthday party' our theme for this challenge is 'Celebration'. Your project can be for any type of celebration you like i.e. wedding, birthday, new home etc or maybe something that's personal to you that you want to 'jump for joy' over.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our Sponsor for this challenge is <a href="https://stamplorations.com/" target="_blank">Stamplorations</a> who have Sponsored us from the start and have been very generous not only to the winners but also the Design Team. They are giving a whopping $40 gift voucher to the winner of this challenge, which would be so much fun to spend!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9MluKQ9ZaQbnHkHjLtfd7BLM5TINAKMbPofV9uVhaASghcyvm_JR53JNDevipcbp46b_ARrZVntiXd-0XONQDkpaPEEqmSBt2Utnfz3Eaogc_5jFWyDWqZ75o4vyjk_n0UxWcDK-UVk/s200/STAMPlorations1-web.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="130" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9MluKQ9ZaQbnHkHjLtfd7BLM5TINAKMbPofV9uVhaASghcyvm_JR53JNDevipcbp46b_ARrZVntiXd-0XONQDkpaPEEqmSBt2Utnfz3Eaogc_5jFWyDWqZ75o4vyjk_n0UxWcDK-UVk/s0/STAMPlorations1-web.jpeg" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />For my card I definitely wanted to use Stamplorations products and was in a colouring mood:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNQVRcoN4kqB8MxzwMCZg6il-xlDV5QmFLQyhqkCMU9DH1EWSZbEojew1zb4sTTmEm9xvYJ1mwINJOCS87pa_n4o-3ZCqJ_8fB5XNw8tO1-xz2U7Izqb8Udh0TdFd88cslvqnP3RFMMQ/s640/TO+%2523182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNQVRcoN4kqB8MxzwMCZg6il-xlDV5QmFLQyhqkCMU9DH1EWSZbEojew1zb4sTTmEm9xvYJ1mwINJOCS87pa_n4o-3ZCqJ_8fB5XNw8tO1-xz2U7Izqb8Udh0TdFd88cslvqnP3RFMMQ/w640-h640/TO+%2523182.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />I spent a few evenings sitting in the warm evening air on a beanbag under my peach tree's, colouring away while watching 'Superstore' on my iPad. Gotta love Summertime....</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">First up I stamped the images from Stamplorations <a href="https://stamplorations.com/4x8/p/birthday-bash?rq=birthday" target="_blank">'Birthday Bash - Shery Russ Designs'</a> with Gina K Amalgam Black ink on a panel of white CS. I coloured them quickly with Altenew Artist Markers and then added lots of detail with my Faber Castell Polychromo pencils. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Once I had finished I wanted to add a waffle-edge to the panel (like the edge of the cupcake liner) so die-cut it using a MFT Stamps die from the 'Blueprint 27' set. After adhering a panel of black CS to the card front, I put the cake panel on a piece of black foam. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">For the sentiment (from the same stamp set) I used Ranger Black embossing Powder on a piece of plain vellum. I then used a circle die from Couture Creations to cut it out. It didn't stand out enough against the background so I used a smaller circle die with some white CS and glued it to that before putting on foam tape. To finish off I added some pearls from Studio Katia in similar colours.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm going to link this to the <a href="https://stamplorations.blogspot.com/p/stamplorations-anything-goes-challenge.html" target="_blank">Stamplorations Never-ending Anything Goes Challenge</a> which is for projects using their products.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_HsmCbjwFhuI4TUKLOyb2Aj7Rp66brRX7d2Tq6JEgrEI6x5TBmxSq1IlZ2mxNXYshGev9kDd2rq9kxVw-hQL5BRTlENUbDKxEIppYJB0u0Ha8WCis8OyFNmV9-XIjzaOIb9NSc3NuU0/s250/STAMPlorations-anythinggoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="196" data-original-width="250" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_HsmCbjwFhuI4TUKLOyb2Aj7Rp66brRX7d2Tq6JEgrEI6x5TBmxSq1IlZ2mxNXYshGev9kDd2rq9kxVw-hQL5BRTlENUbDKxEIppYJB0u0Ha8WCis8OyFNmV9-XIjzaOIb9NSc3NuU0/w200-h157/STAMPlorations-anythinggoes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">You have until Wednesday 10th March to link your projects to the <a href="http://timeoutchallenges.blogspot.com/2021/02/challenge-182.html" target="_blank">TIME OUT </a>challenge. And if your needing any help with ideas or inspiration, pop over to the blog to see what the rest of the Design Team and our fabulous Guest Designer Karen of <a href="https://kbwalker.blogs.com/random_relfections/2021/02/time-out-challenge-s-7th-birthday.html" target="_blank">Random Reflections</a> have created for you. Karen has played with us for years, so its really lovely she is the GD for this challenge.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thanks again for all your support with TIME OUT and I hope to see your projects in the Gallery.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take care</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shona</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <br /></span></p>Shona Chambershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842705438453127839noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759225168275350113.post-23021809591166350722021-03-02T21:04:00.000+13:002021-03-02T21:04:11.708+13:00Funky Fossil Designs - Smile<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Hello there!! We almost had rain today which would have made a lot of people happy but it was nothing more than a sprinkle. Just enough to make my boots and gloves all muddy, and my hair all frizzy..... Now we've hit March hopefully the rain will return so everything isn't looking so parched.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZbKrF-MRv1fJylnp1ZU6_DN5c16xspbb8JS2j4-aqvBN3tJ6xZDBCdBOHhpPzAHKwCP3Q0VhLW_08DubZOx7eddId4IhYZvRd6OnXO-1Of9xSRvn0LyEOU1xakmt6t2tAk9AjW7oIkI/s929/Funky+Fossil+Designs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="929" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZbKrF-MRv1fJylnp1ZU6_DN5c16xspbb8JS2j4-aqvBN3tJ6xZDBCdBOHhpPzAHKwCP3Q0VhLW_08DubZOx7eddId4IhYZvRd6OnXO-1Of9xSRvn0LyEOU1xakmt6t2tAk9AjW7oIkI/s320/Funky+Fossil+Designs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A few days ago <a href="https://www.funkyfossil.co.uk/" target="_blank">Funky Fossil Designs</a> had a New Release and it was a doozy! It included stamps, dies, washi tapes and a new paper pad...something for everyone. I wanted to share with you another card I made with the new <a href="https://www.funkyfossil.co.uk/product-page/geo-elements-a6-stamp-set" target="_blank">'Geo Elements'</a> stamp set and another older set, to show how well it goes with other images:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVm_FNmuCeGJukiqPY-U17AZN7ntmHYxPXrdyQ4qCy6V5BiIB6Ud3_l-bW4cEs9kd-PhnsCfMo61XQu4BmcMyKSoYAXgM6WeHX4pDYU4fUWlfV9fUqLUE4deji47FiapP_BDPS5WyeXZA/s640/FF+Feb+NR+Smile+Dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVm_FNmuCeGJukiqPY-U17AZN7ntmHYxPXrdyQ4qCy6V5BiIB6Ud3_l-bW4cEs9kd-PhnsCfMo61XQu4BmcMyKSoYAXgM6WeHX4pDYU4fUWlfV9fUqLUE4deji47FiapP_BDPS5WyeXZA/w640-h640/FF+Feb+NR+Smile+Dog.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />I had so much fun colouring this little guy, he's smiling but you can't tell because his big, chubby jowls are in the way....</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I started off by stamping the doggie from the <a href="https://www.funkyfossil.co.uk/product-page/furry-friends-a6-clear-stamp-set" target="_blank">'Furry Friends'</a> stamp set with Gina K Amalgam black ink and coloured using Altenew Artist Markers, just making up his fur pattern as I went. For the background I used my MISTI and the same ink to stamp the heart shape (from the <a href="https://www.funkyfossil.co.uk/product-page/geo-elements-a6-stamp-set" target="_blank">'Geo Elements'</a> set) across a white CS panel. I didn't measure or anything, just used my eye to try and keep the lines straight. I then used the same markers in pastel colours to create a pattern on each one.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">After adhering a panel of black CS to the card base, I cut down the heart panel so it was slightly smaller and popped up on black foam. The doggie was put on foam tape, along with the white heat embossed sentiment (from the new <a href="https://www.funkyfossil.co.uk/product-page/graphic-words-a5-stamp-set" target="_blank">'Graphic Words'</a> set). To finish off I glued on some cute heart embellishments in similar colours.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm going to link this to the <a href="https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-anything-goes-81/" target="_blank">Simon Says Stamp - Wednesday Challenge</a> where their theme is 'Anything Goes'.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5Bfa8jKRIRwMD3wgwRnuNZX0OeIj1faqc_IeghQPUUtqaA5QJIuPcsbBPKeVbEafukwg0kviReNNrlRxRATWYj6q8h37ftn2x10EAGutp4MUxe-Nf5jmAHFMqER_6Muo3yo6gynThBY/s252/SSS+wednesdayblog-logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="244" data-original-width="252" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5Bfa8jKRIRwMD3wgwRnuNZX0OeIj1faqc_IeghQPUUtqaA5QJIuPcsbBPKeVbEafukwg0kviReNNrlRxRATWYj6q8h37ftn2x10EAGutp4MUxe-Nf5jmAHFMqER_6Muo3yo6gynThBY/w200-h194/SSS+wednesdayblog-logo.png" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Better go and set up my mattress for the night. We finally had a chance to get Max's room re-lined with GIB, so Wednesday night last week Dave stripped the walls. Max is sleeping in our room, Dave is sleeping in the garage (he has it set up like a bedroom but there are too many spiders out there for my liking....) and I'm sleeping on a single mattress in the lounge room. Its close to the tv and my craft area so its actually not too bad. Only problem is that both cats sleep with me (they take up half the bed) and Bella sleeps beside me on the floor. Her snoring, farts and breath is enough to keep anyone awake at night believe you me.....</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take care</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shona <br /></span></p>Shona Chambershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842705438453127839noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759225168275350113.post-39254056912854211722021-02-26T20:00:00.084+13:002021-02-26T20:00:03.826+13:00Funky Fossil Designs - New Release Day!!!!<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Hi everyone!! Hope you've all had a wonderful week and bet your looking forward to the weekend. Well, some good news for the end of the week is that <a href="https://www.funkyfossil.co.uk/" target="_blank">Funky Fossil Designs</a> New Release is now available to purchase!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjyDiPGebVO-VUYRFWdhvTOL4APNreN0iPQWEqtFmBrqQ2VuZioQelp84sOu3Tf1zrWAzdx0WHwgfXoZ1WDTqCepzhqJ9xdPlrbpx_WqkvFcVBCH_HHBuCBBxHN_VnUaw97G8AC5hEvg/s929/Funky+Fossil+Designs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="929" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjyDiPGebVO-VUYRFWdhvTOL4APNreN0iPQWEqtFmBrqQ2VuZioQelp84sOu3Tf1zrWAzdx0WHwgfXoZ1WDTqCepzhqJ9xdPlrbpx_WqkvFcVBCH_HHBuCBBxHN_VnUaw97G8AC5hEvg/s320/Funky+Fossil+Designs.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /> There are five new stamp sets, 2 new dies, paper pad and washi tapes to tempt your wallets. There is something for everyone in this release from Steampunk images, to cute little sheep and even some magical designs. You can check them all out now in the <a href="https://www.funkyfossil.co.uk/" target="_blank">Funky Fossil Designs</a> store.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">To celebrate this day I went a little 'die-cutting crazy' but as you know that's one of my favourite things to do on a card so I loved every minute of it:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45n0I5IasC6iTalrGbj7QNHeLt3gig_ea8k0UhwgFUqaFVkDwUNPRRmkdvjuVLArYqE19l-ctsZhufx3M8VLpnXA7KngF-Wen_anLHRFB3xCHS6a-nyllprjynqq184fkaqaAxQDAC7A/s640/FF+Feb+NR+Rainbow+Diecut1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45n0I5IasC6iTalrGbj7QNHeLt3gig_ea8k0UhwgFUqaFVkDwUNPRRmkdvjuVLArYqE19l-ctsZhufx3M8VLpnXA7KngF-Wen_anLHRFB3xCHS6a-nyllprjynqq184fkaqaAxQDAC7A/w640-h640/FF+Feb+NR+Rainbow+Diecut1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Nothing like rainbow colours to make you smile and celebrate the day. And even a hint of gold for a bit of shine. This was a little fiddly to do but I just sat myself in front of the tv (started watching 'Superstore' on Netflix, didn't like it at first but have become rather obsessed....) and set my Cuttlebug in motion.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I started by gathering a rainbow of CS. I used a chain-link type die that comes in the brand new <a href="https://www.funkyfossil.co.uk/product-page/cogs-and-gears-die-set" target="_blank">'Cogs and Gears'</a> die set and die-cut from each colour once. I then die-cut some white CS using the <a href="https://www.funkyfossil.co.uk/product-page/zen-mandala-die-set-3-dies" target="_blank">'Zen Mandala' </a>die set. Using some Gina K Connect Glue I adhered the coloured die-cut pieces to the solid white base. I then glued the mandala white pieces on top.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">After die-cutting the same chain-link die from some gold Craft Smith 'Holiday Foil' paper, I inlaid some pieces into the end of each chain. I adhered a piece of black CS to a 4.5 inch square white card base and then put the mandala die piece on some black foam. The sentiment (from the <a href="https://www.funkyfossil.co.uk/product-page/a5-clear-photopolymer-stamp-set-whimsy-town" target="_blank">'Whimsy Town'</a> stamp set) was gold heat embossed on a strip of black CS, backed with white CS and put on foam tape in the middle of the card, along with some Studio Katia gold pearls.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm going to link this to the <a href="https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-anything-goes-81/" target="_blank">Simon Says Stamp - Wednesday Challenge</a> where their theme is 'Anything Goes'.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNNP634SToOSMhq5brQfCU2vwC6WXXBfF3KW3HPY-W1Fu3WKBxmdOAR3lLOMrcYmLZWRi-h_mvcUPQQzgr_0LCa2lwO3IiKUJPDgJhTY5HCTrlbFCXgRX3-f-qE_p32wEC3ZwdNbBNm8/s252/SSS+wednesdayblog-logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="244" data-original-width="252" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNNP634SToOSMhq5brQfCU2vwC6WXXBfF3KW3HPY-W1Fu3WKBxmdOAR3lLOMrcYmLZWRi-h_mvcUPQQzgr_0LCa2lwO3IiKUJPDgJhTY5HCTrlbFCXgRX3-f-qE_p32wEC3ZwdNbBNm8/w200-h194/SSS+wednesdayblog-logo.png" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /> <br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I hope you have fun shopping the New Release and can't wait to see what you do with them all. Don't forget to tag #funkyfossildesigns on Instagram so we can see your amazing creations. And I have loads more cards using these new products to share with you over the coming weeks, so I'll see you back here very soon.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take care</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shona</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <br /></span></p>Shona Chambershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842705438453127839noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759225168275350113.post-63060695111193615162021-02-18T20:00:00.091+13:002021-02-18T20:00:05.861+13:00Reminder: TIME OUT Challenge #181<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Hello there!! Its been the strangest week here weather-wise. February in New Zealand is normally the hottest month of the year but it feels like we've missed the month completely and near the end of March, going into Autumn. The nights have been really cold and I've been in my Winter pjs instead of sweltering with all the windows open. Its supposed to be really hot tomorrow (after another cold night) so wouldn't surprise me if people started coming down with colds etc....</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCaYVPV5FeAuEAyLr8TAbAizSx7U09D2uvgE7efEvUdGwHvokqbRNqU39TNyRkOzERFrFF4xjoghFF1Xo_Y9r56XteDNpvS8lX5owA7jq_963QesL8YX3igLc6I1_xbh8RdM1r7Jv3qyc/s320/TO+181.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCaYVPV5FeAuEAyLr8TAbAizSx7U09D2uvgE7efEvUdGwHvokqbRNqU39TNyRkOzERFrFF4xjoghFF1Xo_Y9r56XteDNpvS8lX5owA7jq_963QesL8YX3igLc6I1_xbh8RdM1r7Jv3qyc/s0/TO+181.png" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I hope you all had a wonderful Valentines Day. Its not something my husband and I celebrate and I completely forgot all about it. However I've loved looking at all the entries for this <a href="http://timeoutchallenges.blogspot.com/2021/02/challenge-181.html" target="_blank">TIME OUT</a> challenge, there's so much love out there in the world. The photo for this challenge is all sweet and 'hearty' with lots of different ways to be inspired.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our Sponsor for this challenge is <a href="https://www.cas-ualfridaysstamps.com/" target="_blank">CAS-ual Fridays Stamps</a> and they are very sweetly giving the winner of this challenge a $25 gift voucher to their store!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzixVmhgRl_A1Gr7IKLW7jKbIqlfY23JK8Tw8_OYW3d3m3mwII6YweqMXZSC43XiwWPIGawC6LVwmROXmWHbwe_ntJtuPW8_nc9x7TD4fMFg-zIJojvfoy8e2m8FTb61qPlw8tnq3mhE/s250/CFS+Blog+Button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="184" data-original-width="250" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzixVmhgRl_A1Gr7IKLW7jKbIqlfY23JK8Tw8_OYW3d3m3mwII6YweqMXZSC43XiwWPIGawC6LVwmROXmWHbwe_ntJtuPW8_nc9x7TD4fMFg-zIJojvfoy8e2m8FTb61qPlw8tnq3mhE/w200-h147/CFS+Blog+Button.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />For my card I couldn't help but be inspired by heart shapes and managed to find two dies that fit together perfectly:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCGS3uyDuQKLkUSFS5YtX0Rm3Z7X8L52AonBvNz-X0puWTfrSYu2bTbNZIf6rQb3I6Ndj0BH1UPpcngeEjzmEKxvUPwMPnX_NrTF297TT6PcTr24-WcmgfhqxcYhIsdsaV9lYFbjKeNc/s640/TO+%2523+181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCGS3uyDuQKLkUSFS5YtX0Rm3Z7X8L52AonBvNz-X0puWTfrSYu2bTbNZIf6rQb3I6Ndj0BH1UPpcngeEjzmEKxvUPwMPnX_NrTF297TT6PcTr24-WcmgfhqxcYhIsdsaV9lYFbjKeNc/w640-h640/TO+%2523+181.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />I always enjoy a good die-cutting session, however my Cuttlebug is nearly 10yrs old and making funny noises, so not sure how much longer she is going to last.....</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I found a die from Simon Says Stamp 'Heart Vent' that cut stripes across a heart shape but didn't cut out the outline. So I used one from Uniquely Creative 'Nordic Hearts' that fitted around it so well, they were made for each other!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I die-cut the SSS die twice on a panel of white CS. I also die-cut it from red CS. I glued a spare piece of white CS behind the white panel so I could inlay the red strips. After die-cutting the heart frame from the same red CS, I glued it around each shape and then cut around it. These were put on the card front using foam tape.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Simon Says Stamp 'Love' die was die-cut 3x from pale pink CS and the shadow from black CS. These were glued together and then over the heart. The sentiment (also from Simon Says Stamp 'Love') was white heat embossed on a strip of black CS, backed with some dark pink CS and put on foam tape, along with some Studio Katia silver pearls. I also added some Wink of Stella to the 'love' die-cut for a bit more sparkle.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm going to link this to the <a href="https://www.flickr.com/groups/simonsaysstamp/discuss/72157718268519122/" target="_blank">Simon Says Stamp Flickr Challenge #169</a> where their theme is 'Anything Goes'.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Will also link to the <a href="https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-favorite-technique/" target="_blank">Simon Says Stamp - Wednesday Challenge</a> where their theme is 'Favourite Technique' and you know how much I LOVE die-cutting!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYZK9ji3AQRWa5EXw_zH6uB7ngseh99kUBr5mQ0cCdV5-HDqTP9QiPNLJmeNyiDtB9Rb5h3hAg-wxlDIUKT-6r5prsOe_4PRKOvodVNPqd-oNFZWlHmqyYXqxhX2ManD2SbZizx0sJhE/s252/SSS+wednesdayblog-logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="244" data-original-width="252" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYZK9ji3AQRWa5EXw_zH6uB7ngseh99kUBr5mQ0cCdV5-HDqTP9QiPNLJmeNyiDtB9Rb5h3hAg-wxlDIUKT-6r5prsOe_4PRKOvodVNPqd-oNFZWlHmqyYXqxhX2ManD2SbZizx0sJhE/w200-h194/SSS+wednesdayblog-logo.png" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />You have until Wednesday 24th February to link your projects to the <a href="http://timeoutchallenges.blogspot.com/2021/02/challenge-181.html" target="_blank">TIME OUT </a> challenge and if your needing some ideas, pop over to the blog to see what the rest of the Design Team and our talented Guest Designer Nancy of <a href="https://nancyscreativemess.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Nancy's Creative Mess</a> have created to inspire you. Can't wait to see all your 'loving' projects in the Gallery!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take care</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shona </span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>Shona Chambershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842705438453127839noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759225168275350113.post-5620877462692535522021-02-16T10:31:00.001+13:002021-02-16T10:31:55.193+13:00Funky Fossil Designs - Watercolour Experiment<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Hi everyone!! I'm slowly getting back into card making. Work has been very busy with it being Summertime here in New Zealand (lots of weeds.....) and homelife has been rather hectic, so I still struggle to fit in some crafting time before I go to bed. I had decided to make this year different and make sure my hobby features higher up on the 'To Do' list but I'm still guilty of putting myself last. One day I'll get it right....</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Jhgg_o-tnyZLV3-sggxOHzp_iH0VqXPw__s8Szr8AnUc_Jso7yduY0QBsASaWBd6VdAKZVNC6U2q94uy9YQPHNiEYOyQMMBN2wsKEhCDftI-s4o1LtWz34bBPe9lJsjkOafDtOZQ_5k/s929/Funky+Fossil+Designs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="929" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Jhgg_o-tnyZLV3-sggxOHzp_iH0VqXPw__s8Szr8AnUc_Jso7yduY0QBsASaWBd6VdAKZVNC6U2q94uy9YQPHNiEYOyQMMBN2wsKEhCDftI-s4o1LtWz34bBPe9lJsjkOafDtOZQ_5k/s320/Funky+Fossil+Designs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">One thing I want to do more of this year is try out some of the MILLIONS of techniques and ideas I see on other blogs, YouTube videos and Pinterest. There are so many talented people out there and I know I won't be as good as them but gives me a little bit of a thrill being like them for a few minutes.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I follow a lot of watercolour painters on YouTube and Instagram and see a lot of them using tape to mask off areas and watercolour. I decided to give it a go and even though it didn't go to plan, I'm still so glad I tried it:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RrRQN6cZpMvEPMZrTeRV3BE4rmDeTq1nJyQ5MwLo564sztX3rMiHqQVLaZwP71B5aSTs_6mM9q0iDxgTO7KZjsd6k1TOee6O7gWJCzSKuX-dM0fmT6JtK4LAgcpJWk4brCQlOLuND0c/s640/FF+Deer+Watercolour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RrRQN6cZpMvEPMZrTeRV3BE4rmDeTq1nJyQ5MwLo564sztX3rMiHqQVLaZwP71B5aSTs_6mM9q0iDxgTO7KZjsd6k1TOee6O7gWJCzSKuX-dM0fmT6JtK4LAgcpJWk4brCQlOLuND0c/w640-h640/FF+Deer+Watercolour.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I never use pen on my cards but found the rectangles needed some sort of definition. This was WAY out of my comfort zone....</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I started by using washi tape to mask off three rectangles on a piece of Strathmore watercolour cardstock. I usually use the back, smoother side of watercolour CS but have come to appreciate the texture after visiting an artists house recently. She is the neighbour of someone I garden for and she invited me to see her garden. I saw the vase of brushes on her table and she took me inside to see her painting room. It was unbelievable and I could see how the bumpy paper added so much texture to her beautiful paintings.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I used Distress Inks 'Dusty Concord', 'Seedless Preserves', 'Victorian Velvet', 'Squeezed Lemonade' and 'Mustard Seed' to create a night sky. I've never used this combo before and was quite amazed how the pink and yellow blended together. I did quite a few layers, using my heat gun to dry in between, to get the look I was after.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Once it was dry I removed the washi tape. Unfortunately I had a bit of bleeding under the tape but it was ok. Using Versafine Onyx ink and <a href="https://www.funkyfossil.co.uk/product-page/a6-clear-photopolymer-stamp-set-winter-wonderland" target="_blank">Funky Fossil Design 'Winter Wonderland'</a> stamp set, I stamped the images a few times with my MISTI to get good ink coverage. I then decided that I wanted to flick over some white paint, so I put the washi tape back on and created some basic masking with post-it notes to cover the images. I mixed water with Gansai Tambi white paint and flicked away......all over my computer.......</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">When the paint was dry I used a Uniball 3mm black pen and ruler to go around each rectangle. I then popped up the white heat embossed sentiment (from <a href="https://www.funkyfossil.co.uk/product-page/small-print-a6-stamp-set" target="_blank">Funky Fossil Design 'Small Print'</a>) on foam tape and glued on some Studio Katia silver pearls after adhering the panel to a card front. Definitely going to try this again!!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Off to hang out the washing. It rained all night last night which was a godsend as it hasn't rained for months. So no gardening for me today, going to prepare for a New Release coming up soon for Funky Fossil Designs and watch Netflix, probably movies I've seen before. With all the new content why do we go back to ones we've already seen???</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take care</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shona</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <br /></span></p>Shona Chambershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842705438453127839noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759225168275350113.post-1656027774916272042021-02-04T20:00:00.057+13:002021-02-04T20:00:04.257+13:00Reminder: TIME OUT Challenge #180<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm back!!!! After a much needed break over the holiday period and January I'm back with cards to inspire you for the <a href="http://timeoutchallenges.blogspot.com/2021/01/challenge-180.html" target="_blank">TIME OUT </a>challenge!!! I've really missed seeing and commenting on all your amazing entries, so can't wait to see what you come up with.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1JBbmARned0NC0zA21DqPXaw90fx5Po6IXolK2RNkQzOqDsQbZCcrW2ms5uXbiAlkpx7fEIeBpq32_XW_4-acTVx7XiFc3Cot_c2Wnxsd9rmFy95W8E8PoxP6fi2M5thj5shHJ2GB-Y/s320/%2523180.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1JBbmARned0NC0zA21DqPXaw90fx5Po6IXolK2RNkQzOqDsQbZCcrW2ms5uXbiAlkpx7fEIeBpq32_XW_4-acTVx7XiFc3Cot_c2Wnxsd9rmFy95W8E8PoxP6fi2M5thj5shHJ2GB-Y/s0/%2523180.png" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />We have this fantastic phrase to inspire you for this challenge. You could pick one word or maybe use the whole phrase to get ideas for your project, its completely up to you!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Sponsor for this challenge is <a href="https://www.newtonsnookdesigns.com/" target="_blank">Newtons Nook Designs</a> and they are giving the winner a $25 gift voucher to their store. They have so many cute stamps and dies, I'm sure there will be no problem finding something to buy!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsEiKf6w8RL3Qp9Eu0jToaYpiDS6BMZ-rAdEUvBq9lKzwqfZs_dAL7V4_F6dLeiKrawTB_o49khLa1hhmlU40V0hpXRdH9DwXh75BsXck23nAaznGW1WU_vx5rQfa7x2H5K-C12aQHgk/s200/Newtons+Nook+Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="108" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsEiKf6w8RL3Qp9Eu0jToaYpiDS6BMZ-rAdEUvBq9lKzwqfZs_dAL7V4_F6dLeiKrawTB_o49khLa1hhmlU40V0hpXRdH9DwXh75BsXck23nAaznGW1WU_vx5rQfa7x2H5K-C12aQHgk/s0/Newtons+Nook+Logo.png" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">For my card I already knew which stamp set I would use as soon as I read the phrase:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgIWZulUTSHEhyphenhyphenHbtaEzXlneYqHqPZINiNJwIEQuLKjdjZZqVP9fP8iGl_XUHc1BRFmmjwprJdgzGoaPKO3bhX2IolGCN4lULdKDGltU4-maDOGUwUqVVRW9kKF453OJmLEpEju_Looc/s640/TO+%2523180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgIWZulUTSHEhyphenhyphenHbtaEzXlneYqHqPZINiNJwIEQuLKjdjZZqVP9fP8iGl_XUHc1BRFmmjwprJdgzGoaPKO3bhX2IolGCN4lULdKDGltU4-maDOGUwUqVVRW9kKF453OJmLEpEju_Looc/w640-h640/TO+%2523180.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I couldn't think of a better stamp set to use for this challenge. Its by Uniquely Creative 'Reading Past your Bedtime' and one of my favourite sets.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I stamped the images on white CS using Gina K Amalgam black ink, coloured with Altenew Artist Markers and then fussy cut out.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I wanted to create a 'room' feel for the card, so I used the 'Arch Window' stencil from Funky Fossil Designs, blending over Distress Inks 'Salty Ocean' and 'Chipped Sapphire. I then used a white gel pen to create some snow.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">All I had to do then was adhere the images in place, pop up the white heat embossed sentiment (from the same stamp set) on foam tape and then glue on some pearls from Studio Katia.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">You have until Wednesday 13th February to link your projects to the <a href="http://timeoutchallenges.blogspot.com/2021/01/challenge-180.html" target="_blank">TIME OUT </a>challenge and if your needing any help with ideas, pop over to the blog to see what the rest of the Design Team have created for you. Can't wait to see you in the Gallery!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take care</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shona</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><br /></p>Shona Chambershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842705438453127839noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759225168275350113.post-86095668793992527322020-12-24T20:00:00.080+13:002020-12-24T20:00:04.188+13:00Reminder: TIME OUT Challenge #177<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Well, its Christmas Eve here in New Zealand. Its been a chaotic few days for me finishing off gardening (while it poured with rain EACH DAY!!), have been to the supermarket 3x in past 24hrs, spent two hours wrapping all the presents today to then realise I had no labels, the painters finished this morning after three days so I'm putting the house back together so I can sleep in my own bed tonight.....chaos doesn't seem like the right word but I'll be glad to wake up tomorrow morning and everything will be good and chocolatey!!!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsd0mWQ9Y9I-pjQSNWhMTMy_yb-cnPkoahyyoYxPsJdjhY2-xbSw0N8nDe6SbvGUMlJ7Mp7uYdyGJUA831aLjz2bUwaixvq9r-YoulrAywJQyinjQzpCy0sUXqJ4z3lgKTb46UrwRIo8/s320/image.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsd0mWQ9Y9I-pjQSNWhMTMy_yb-cnPkoahyyoYxPsJdjhY2-xbSw0N8nDe6SbvGUMlJ7Mp7uYdyGJUA831aLjz2bUwaixvq9r-YoulrAywJQyinjQzpCy0sUXqJ4z3lgKTb46UrwRIo8/s0/image.png" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We have a photo to inspire you for this challenge, which I always enjoy. This one has so much lovely white/cream accents, with a touch of green from the tree. Wish my dining table looked this good!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our Sponsor for this challenge is the always generous <a href="https://stamplorations.com/" target="_blank">Stamplorations</a> who are giving a $25 voucher to the winner!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzMJOUpODQwN1b0IgEjvemkY6i05oipHv9toFjHgg2vbeQeJNZf1Ot-aZH6IdcNQ8Xh4-p0DUkGA5ao50AcF4lS-5x5iI6LBxngfRJBjBLUgfTFyLeybEwVZBKNdggLt4s0unDSzpK3I/s200/STAMPlorations1-web.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="130" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzMJOUpODQwN1b0IgEjvemkY6i05oipHv9toFjHgg2vbeQeJNZf1Ot-aZH6IdcNQ8Xh4-p0DUkGA5ao50AcF4lS-5x5iI6LBxngfRJBjBLUgfTFyLeybEwVZBKNdggLt4s0unDSzpK3I/s0/STAMPlorations1-web.jpeg" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /> </span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shery (the owner of Stamplorations) is always so good to our Design Team at TIME OUT and given us some products to use for this challenge. I chose some balloon dies and thought it was about time I made some shaker elements:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWsIkgwRuTjuyMGlGlTH7-qAn2Zh-yOMVsFqr94e1RXAPyz7D5eGmK4-GqMd3X2MqHPstllBvNh0ulJ6XpMyuAGX9ePPGeoxrZqsJCdy0LJg8_aQTi4KnEpV4eIpBhyiCXg9cqF-UJz8/s640/TO+%2523177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWsIkgwRuTjuyMGlGlTH7-qAn2Zh-yOMVsFqr94e1RXAPyz7D5eGmK4-GqMd3X2MqHPstllBvNh0ulJ6XpMyuAGX9ePPGeoxrZqsJCdy0LJg8_aQTi4KnEpV4eIpBhyiCXg9cqF-UJz8/w640-h640/TO+%2523177.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I really enjoyed creating this card because I used colours that are a bit 'out of the box' for me (dark green and cream/beige) but really like how it came together.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Firstly I wanted to add a touch of dark green (like the Christmas tree) so adhered a panel to the card base. I then found this patterned paper from Rosie's Studio 'Noel', which encompassed the beige in the photo as well as some black images which seemed to scream 'celebration'. This was cut smaller than the card front and put on a piece of white foam.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I die-cut the Stamplorations <a href="https://stamplorations.com/miscellaneous-dies/p/shaker-balloons-3-oval-dies?rq=shaker%20balloons" target="_blank">'Shaker Balloons #3 Oval'</a> from white CS. I adhered some vellum to the back of the 'open' die-cut and then added thin pieces of foam tape to the back as well. This will creation some height to allow the sequins to move around. I made a pile of clear and white sequins from Neat and Tangled in the middle of the solid balloon die-cuts and pressed the vellum pieces on top to seal them in. They were glued to the card front, along with the die-cut strings. To finish off I white heat embossed the sentiment from Stamplorations <a href="https://stamplorations.com/4x6/p/yuletide-deer?rq=yuletide%20deer" target="_blank">'Yuletide Deer - Dee's Artsy Impressions'</a> on a strip of the same dark green CS. This was popped on foam tape, along with some dark green sequins, again from Neat and Tangled.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm going to link this to the <a href="https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-sparkle-and-shine-2/" target="_blank">Simon Says Stamp - Wednesday Challenge</a> where their theme is 'Sparkle and Shine'.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZU6Xq9KspZ8TIFPrCDHsP0e3NfwJpaKE5Sc2xeKsVM39psMowgQSD2YCNtLOhAIx__iBw5fj6KClOmBIwMvoLpQdNKF3PWhx7K-otxtXHFDsfOSxb9rt13ZpNz5qPv9SSjjVbG7jdgZk/s252/SSS+wednesdayblog-logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="244" data-original-width="252" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZU6Xq9KspZ8TIFPrCDHsP0e3NfwJpaKE5Sc2xeKsVM39psMowgQSD2YCNtLOhAIx__iBw5fj6KClOmBIwMvoLpQdNKF3PWhx7K-otxtXHFDsfOSxb9rt13ZpNz5qPv9SSjjVbG7jdgZk/w200-h194/SSS+wednesdayblog-logo.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">You have until Wednesday 30th December to link your projects to the <a href="http://timeoutchallenges.blogspot.com/2020/12/challenge-177.html" target="_blank">TIME OUT Challenge</a> and there are lots of projects from the rest of the Design Team and our spectacular Guest Designer Vicky of <a href="http://timeoutchallenges.blogspot.com/2020/12/challenge-177.html" target="_blank">Crafting Clare's Paper Moments</a> to inspire you on the blog. Look forward to see what you came up with in the Gallery.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take care and Merry Christmas!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shona <br /></span></p>Shona Chambershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842705438453127839noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759225168275350113.post-78195377240195859932020-12-21T09:05:00.000+13:002020-12-21T09:05:05.291+13:00Stencilled Christmas Card<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Hi everybody!! I'm typing this out at 8am Monday morning while listening to painters hammer in nails and sand down window frames (Phoebe is in bed, she is going to LOVE all the noise......). I have three days of gardening to go before I finish for a two week break over Christmas. And its now raining!!! I have no spare days or time to fit anyone in before Thursday if I can't work in the rain, so I'm stressing out. Please cross all your fingers and toes for me that the rain isn't very hard and I can get everyone finished!!!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QlPUHOsheft_LybU_1yIh1AH9PAaH1BD5X4LjhhYXK3Bb6GZXmoQyCstD7p9VsX-NeoHhKMLdzfvCfBMsMUOvWdnIAhP4iFBeSCKOsaDHbYVa1qnD_J4FIwt1ES_kzf5QYi_IQozguA/s399/waffle-flower-logos-03_a3c01033-0022-4c83-ab67-cf2aa4f3b12e_400x.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="113" data-original-width="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QlPUHOsheft_LybU_1yIh1AH9PAaH1BD5X4LjhhYXK3Bb6GZXmoQyCstD7p9VsX-NeoHhKMLdzfvCfBMsMUOvWdnIAhP4iFBeSCKOsaDHbYVa1qnD_J4FIwt1ES_kzf5QYi_IQozguA/s320/waffle-flower-logos-03_a3c01033-0022-4c83-ab67-cf2aa4f3b12e_400x.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">As I've mentioned a few times I'm not very experienced when it comes to stencils but there are so many amazing ones that have been released this year, I can't help but grab them and try them out. I spotted one from Waffle Flower that created rings and thought they would make great Christmas wreaths:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjhX0N3bWJGRBetQh3vTYkS-NYba6h8X-EHIrtE3DFyqpPepsceyItrP5ZQY41hZbmKSDuePyG9QSRrDdNTJsyXRtDGa3o0R8czO8BXfrH9J-mSN69WrVvr44q6USmH4d5gcKLs6RV-E/s640/WF+Wreath+Card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjhX0N3bWJGRBetQh3vTYkS-NYba6h8X-EHIrtE3DFyqpPepsceyItrP5ZQY41hZbmKSDuePyG9QSRrDdNTJsyXRtDGa3o0R8czO8BXfrH9J-mSN69WrVvr44q6USmH4d5gcKLs6RV-E/w640-h640/WF+Wreath+Card.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm so terrible at not reading instructions properly and then getting in a mess but there was no way I was going to waste all my ink blending work.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Using the 'Rings Builder Stencil' on a panel of white CS, I blended Distress Inks 'Mowed Lawn' and 'Twisted Citron' to create the wreaths (I used the stencils the wrong way around and it took a lot longer than it should have...silly me....). I then trimmed the panel down so there were 5x3 rings. I needed a bow to create the 'wreath' idea and found one from a very old Waffle Flower set 'Willy and Friends'. I stamped it with Catherine Pooler 'Rockin Red' ink at the top of each wreath and coloured in with a red Altenew Marker.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The wreath panel was popped up on a piece of white foam, above a panel of red CS that showed slightly underneath, and then adhered to the card front. I didn't have a Waffle Flower word die to fit, so I used the 'Joy' from The Stamp Market. I die-cut it 3x from red CS, glued together and then to the card front. I then stamped the sentiment (from Waffle Flower 'Oversized Merry') with the same red ink and put on foam tape. To finish off I added lots of Wink of Stella to the 'Joy' die-cut.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The rain has slowed down a bit now so I might just be able to go and garden. Fingers crossed it was a flash in the pan and it won't come back again. Trying to weed in the mud is not one of my favourite jobs!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take care</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shona<br /></span></p>Shona Chambershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842705438453127839noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759225168275350113.post-82756780916210456092020-12-19T11:09:00.000+13:002020-12-19T11:09:56.629+13:00Two for one Christmas Cards<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Hi everybody!! Its the final weekend before Christmas and I'm no where near ready!!! I still have more shopping to do and I'm gardening Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday this coming week, so only have Thursday to do final prep, wrap presents etc. I'm off shopping with Phoebe shortly to buy some things for Dave. He's off up North for a week on the night of the 22nd, so making him up a box of goodies to take with him. Tomorrow I'm going to pick (and eat) cherries in the morning, then at lunchtime I'm going to visit some of my gardening people who have moved into a retirement home. Will then do my Mum's lawns, walk the dog, make the dinner then pass out probably!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1przGHKqErLr1d93TmpSAKI7FNFl12KPFDERK2trLLIKI1VdcEg2Cx7rV8OqPrgBKK_1C4hbOrdsUdyI_lwwECg3DF_9ZJDypiGnJsQ3HdGgg6TcR7F8leMb6rkQtxt-x01jQo6cWD8/s778/b12d8a_6bf6008947594d7f8e3e555497fb7ae7%257Emv2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="695" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1przGHKqErLr1d93TmpSAKI7FNFl12KPFDERK2trLLIKI1VdcEg2Cx7rV8OqPrgBKK_1C4hbOrdsUdyI_lwwECg3DF_9ZJDypiGnJsQ3HdGgg6TcR7F8leMb6rkQtxt-x01jQo6cWD8/s320/b12d8a_6bf6008947594d7f8e3e555497fb7ae7%257Emv2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I recently purchased the above stamp from Colorado Craft Company 'Big and Bold - Nordic Ornament' because I not only fell in love with the images but I knew it was big enough to be the star of a card on its own. I then realised that I could make two cards with one lot of stamping:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkBXDVoDD-BZNHfUY_5CuA2uw4mlMgSBrGecIjNXC7qUJogy20YB_uy1Z2rPN3BdvayOK6z_1DonlZZG51RUuSzGjvpzQ7AXkB74A7CUySLCfmb02kC9GIovDQ24LHklZD_xApBCefnU/s640/Colorado+Circle+Pair+Cards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkBXDVoDD-BZNHfUY_5CuA2uw4mlMgSBrGecIjNXC7qUJogy20YB_uy1Z2rPN3BdvayOK6z_1DonlZZG51RUuSzGjvpzQ7AXkB74A7CUySLCfmb02kC9GIovDQ24LHklZD_xApBCefnU/w640-h640/Colorado+Circle+Pair+Cards.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The stamp itself is 5.5 inches in diameter, which is the perfect card height. I white heat embossed it twice on to some soft mint CS and then cut it down the middle. I didn't have a circle die big enough to go around the outside so carefully fussy cut it out. I created two card bases that were only 4 inches across. I popped the halves up on foam tape and simply stamped the sentiments (from the same stamp set) with Versafine Onyx black ink. And finished off with Arctic Breeze pearls from Studio Katia.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">You could make these in bulk with lots of different CS colours and embossing powders. Or maybe just stamp with different colour inks. The images are so cute I'm even thinking of fussy cutting them out and using on cards in the future. One of my favourite stamps I've purchased all year!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm going to link these to the <a href="https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-christmas-critters-2/" target="_blank">Simon Says Stamp - Wednesday Challenge</a> where their theme is 'Christmas Critters'.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpu7FOiWkf1FLwSKRI8of60IwL6OR0Xa6hIV4XqkEua2oBMSpCL8qo_9-UOY9QA0XeHsZwpWXf0WKc9owkFoW8r4r8xp3ELerMqDicCHXwoTSTXiZPrnWs_pvK2bS90syNrB9yNWjqKQs/s252/SSS+wednesdayblog-logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="244" data-original-width="252" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpu7FOiWkf1FLwSKRI8of60IwL6OR0Xa6hIV4XqkEua2oBMSpCL8qo_9-UOY9QA0XeHsZwpWXf0WKc9owkFoW8r4r8xp3ELerMqDicCHXwoTSTXiZPrnWs_pvK2bS90syNrB9yNWjqKQs/w200-h194/SSS+wednesdayblog-logo.png" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Time to put out one more load of laundry before I go into town. I must share a funny story with you. My husband is terrible at mixing colours and putting the fluffy white towels with the darks while doing laundry. This morning I tried to go in there and he shooed me out. I said 'Are you mixing colours again??' and he said 'No. This is my white pile, this is my dark pile and this is my cream pile'. Cream pile??? I must have missed that episode of Martha Stewart, I couldn't stop laughing......</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take care</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shona</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <br /></span></p>Shona Chambershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842705438453127839noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759225168275350113.post-45926971556012219812020-12-16T03:00:00.089+13:002020-12-16T03:00:09.859+13:00Reminder: The Flower Challenge #51<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Hi everybody!! As usual I've had a strange couple of days so far this week. The weather Sunday and Monday were so cold, I had to get out my Winter pj's yet again. And it was so windy!! Today (Tuesday as I write this) has been extremely hot, no one knows what to do with themselves. I haven't been gardening today as I received two cortisone injections in both shoulders this morning for 'Reactive Bursitis' so fingers crossed that will kick in, in a few days. I wasn't allowed to do anything too strenuous so have been sweating at home while making some Christmas cards.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8A3kwmLrNWJFpavVPcQJg1sKdg-seuFksbJ145l38Jw8kFy_ggQyzVtwMV_T6mmLLQGMGW0URRjxT_smNmprn9VVVt_aCS1m8hja29cU7NHNJLNzZMBMzyGpYjoFzwMi7aZKKR5dJRXY/s625/Flower+Chg+51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8A3kwmLrNWJFpavVPcQJg1sKdg-seuFksbJ145l38Jw8kFy_ggQyzVtwMV_T6mmLLQGMGW0URRjxT_smNmprn9VVVt_aCS1m8hja29cU7NHNJLNzZMBMzyGpYjoFzwMi7aZKKR5dJRXY/s320/Flower+Chg+51.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">We have a great challenge theme at <a href="http://theflowerchallenge.blogspot.com/2020/12/the-flower-challenge-51-add.html" target="_blank">The Flower Challenge</a> this month 'Add Embellishments', so you can get out all those bits and bobs and put them on your floral projects.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">For my last card I used my favourite embellishments - sequins and pearls (from Studio Katia). This time I wanted to make them one of the main parts of my design:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrQO3CFnBYp0WaMHNaLHwsURTUawTwbWJbAIN21J4hfKDIvPPimH4KbHRlfEm-7TGmRDGNuUxP2naglIks96hJyX4Xr-Ga-nW_jv1PhzB80TNAwBPL44yHO7-YWq0MoaVt6E_WnHaWVA/s640/Flower+Chg+Rem+Dec++20+%25232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrQO3CFnBYp0WaMHNaLHwsURTUawTwbWJbAIN21J4hfKDIvPPimH4KbHRlfEm-7TGmRDGNuUxP2naglIks96hJyX4Xr-Ga-nW_jv1PhzB80TNAwBPL44yHO7-YWq0MoaVt6E_WnHaWVA/w640-h640/Flower+Chg+Rem+Dec++20+%25232.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Who knew this card would be so hard to photograph??? I usually only take photos of flat cards for slimline designs but this happened:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmu3UA-ZC3OzliZBMfPK35mPGvPoj2eGyrbdFoJ9PiaMVSsfyEs1ByasxRS2yPbBm83It2SQr3Az0HllgjiwDanee_BKyIueE1u0DQXK4kcmcYa-l6M9U5bqQHjgiwgQbh8NOF2EhM8Is/s640/Flower+Chg+Rem++Dec+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmu3UA-ZC3OzliZBMfPK35mPGvPoj2eGyrbdFoJ9PiaMVSsfyEs1ByasxRS2yPbBm83It2SQr3Az0HllgjiwDanee_BKyIueE1u0DQXK4kcmcYa-l6M9U5bqQHjgiwgQbh8NOF2EhM8Is/w640-h640/Flower+Chg+Rem++Dec+20.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />The photo itself is fine but you can hardly read the sentiment, let alone know that its sparkly gold. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">For this card I wanted to do some die-cutting, so I die-cut the 'Outline Floral Frame' die from Simon Says Stamp 2x from red CS. I glued one to the card front and then glued back in some of the flower petals. The second layer was then glued on top to add more dimension.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Using gold pearls from Studio Katia, I glued them to the middle of the flowers and also as 'berries' on the round parts of the frame. I kept the sentiments simple, using a Couture Creations circle die on the same red CS. I heat embossed the sentiment (from Simon Says Stamp/Gina K Designs 'Joy of the Season' from last year) using WOW! Metallic Gold Embossing Glitter and put on some foam tape.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm going to link this to the <a href="https://www.flickr.com/groups/2480338@N20/discuss/72157717158056273/" target="_blank">Simon Says Stamp Flickr Challenge #164</a> where their theme is 'Anything Goes'.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">You have until Friday 25th December to link your projects to <a href="http://theflowerchallenge.blogspot.com/2020/12/the-flower-challenge-51-add.html" target="_blank">The Flower Challenge</a> and the rest of the DT have some incredible ideas for you on the blog.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm afraid I'm sad to say that this is my last challenge as part of the Design Team. I've been a part of The Flower Challenge family since the beginning 4yrs ago and have loved every minute of it. Its time for a change and to let someone else have the joy of being part of this amazing team of women. Thanks so much to Aileen for inviting me and to Viv for keeping the team organised. I'm going to miss the challenge terribly and will definitely be joining as a participant next year. Time to take a break, recharge and hit 2021 with a bang.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hugs</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shona <br /></span></p>Shona Chambershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842705438453127839noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759225168275350113.post-92191972209135094852020-12-11T20:34:00.000+13:002020-12-11T20:34:07.829+13:00Uniquely Creative - Koala-la-la-la<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Hello there!! How I wish Santa would bring me an irrigation system for Christmas!! Unfortunately I have only one hose and a sprinkler, so I use my phone to time 12 minute intervals to go out and move it. Not much fun but it could be worse, we could be on water restrictions but with all the rain we had in November I don't think that will be happening.....</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0HJE8D3bJ1Aojl-cSl-etscIsTkdMWdz-SHwNI1fxVWonI-z79p4b0A368bO1eIxmGDQgPYyAY0nfYuJ44SifW5l4v65fG5IlfVXnulwAKTe1V3OWKeQ_NXBDAz0jWcoIqHyBUbj6Bw/s800/AussieChristmasMiniKit-01_800x.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0HJE8D3bJ1Aojl-cSl-etscIsTkdMWdz-SHwNI1fxVWonI-z79p4b0A368bO1eIxmGDQgPYyAY0nfYuJ44SifW5l4v65fG5IlfVXnulwAKTe1V3OWKeQ_NXBDAz0jWcoIqHyBUbj6Bw/s320/AussieChristmasMiniKit-01_800x.webp" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I've got another card to share with you using the Uniquely Creative <a href="https://www.uniquelycreative.com.au/collections/aussie-christmas-2" target="_blank">'Aussie Christmas 2'</a> Mini Stamp and Colour Kit. This has been ridiculously popular, especially with all of the Australian Subscribers. For this card I used a koala which couldn't be more 'Aussie' if he tried:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3DVN73M5i07N3SUVcZX0hoBnG5fB-OtF8h-c87StsAznDWAUrpsqkgCmiffS-r9GYfaAIlMYvYHNj3I7hDTvpN1qaoxaCWr51_Bl9nL5M-Wsn5NnHwXEndrYfCvUFjK_iFYqVJlkzvA/s640/UC+Nov+20+Koala+Styled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3DVN73M5i07N3SUVcZX0hoBnG5fB-OtF8h-c87StsAznDWAUrpsqkgCmiffS-r9GYfaAIlMYvYHNj3I7hDTvpN1qaoxaCWr51_Bl9nL5M-Wsn5NnHwXEndrYfCvUFjK_iFYqVJlkzvA/w640-h640/UC+Nov+20+Koala+Styled.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />I stamped the large tree image from the <a href="https://www.uniquelycreative.com.au/collections/aussie-christmas-2/products/o-christmas-tree-stamp" target="_blank">'Oh Christmas Tree'</a> stamp set and the koala from the <a href="https://www.uniquelycreative.com.au/collections/aussie-christmas-2/products/aussie-christmas-2-stamp-included-in-kit" target="_blank">'Aussie Christmas 2'</a> stamp set, which comes with the kit, on white CS using Gina K Amalgam Black ink. I coloured them with my Altenew Artist Markers and then cut out with the <a href="https://www.uniquelycreative.com.au/collections/aussie-christmas-2/products/aussie-christmas-2-fussy-cutting-die" target="_blank">'Aussie Christmas 2 Fussy Cutting Die'</a> and <a href="https://www.uniquelycreative.com.au/collections/aussie-christmas-2/products/o-christmas-tree-fussy-cutting-die" target="_blank">'O Christmas Tree Fussy Cutting Die'</a>.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I cut a piece of patterned paper from the kit so it was slimmer than the card front and popped it up on a piece of white foam. I then used foam tape to add the Christmas tree and then the koala on top. The sentiment was cut from the sentiment strips that come with the kit. I backed it with some red CS and put it on foam tape, along with some <a href="https://www.uniquelycreative.com.au/collections/embellishments/products/silver-bling" target="_blank">'Silver Rhinestones'</a> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Time to go move my sprinkler for the millionth time and then have some dinner. It rained yesterday but after the crazy winds we had today none of the moisture is left. Mother Nature is a bit all over the place at the moment. Maybe she needs a holiday too....</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take care</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shona <br /></span></p>Shona Chambershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842705438453127839noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759225168275350113.post-58323959221600034562020-12-11T20:03:00.000+13:002020-12-11T20:03:55.173+13:00From our home to yours<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Its Friday night...yippee!! Its been an incredibly busy week and I can't wait to get into bed with my iPad and watch something till the wee small hours (probably Law and Order) because I don't have to get up early tomorrow. I still have some Christmas shopping to do and some baking. And my own garden is looking rather unloved too, so not a relaxing weekend but are they ever??</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzG8APQTNh-f99BflV-ZeSWkB-mWY1LaUIAC7teh47p6XTmH5LKxmzUecvBUkkOzoTuxSTP0wJG5aRbkXxhHPCdkmxGPKTiazAofpk0gJ3w-0aqNYTjCNDB8rq3ggDa_j_dmKemaHOOK4/s400/AlexSyberia-Design-Bunner-Flowers-White-Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzG8APQTNh-f99BflV-ZeSWkB-mWY1LaUIAC7teh47p6XTmH5LKxmzUecvBUkkOzoTuxSTP0wJG5aRbkXxhHPCdkmxGPKTiazAofpk0gJ3w-0aqNYTjCNDB8rq3ggDa_j_dmKemaHOOK4/s320/AlexSyberia-Design-Bunner-Flowers-White-Blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have another Christmas card to share with you, using a digital image I purchased from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/AlexSyberiaDesign" target="_blank">Alex Syberia Design</a>. This time I have some adorable little gnomes in a row:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzDTJEFXAKem18NQCLaGSKDatTkS2EQWoozzERemVf9e8lzATpZpMK7C8jaA4yz4CrYrlj3oYzen3df_KlbN3dVMQ5cxZ5-F6gxaBEUqgOTlmMMbUo2NduxzLmPFeWRr-swe0dp5XbcI/s640/Gnomies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzDTJEFXAKem18NQCLaGSKDatTkS2EQWoozzERemVf9e8lzATpZpMK7C8jaA4yz4CrYrlj3oYzen3df_KlbN3dVMQ5cxZ5-F6gxaBEUqgOTlmMMbUo2NduxzLmPFeWRr-swe0dp5XbcI/w640-h640/Gnomies.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Aren't they the cutest?? These took me a while to colour but was so fun creating their own personalities with colour combo's. This image is called <a href="https://www.etsy.com/nz/listing/898390587/christmas-gnomes-digi-slimline-card?ref=shop_home_feat_4&bes=1" target="_blank">Christmas Gnomes Digi Slimline</a> and is a 'Bestseller' in Alex's Etsy store. I can totally see why!!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I printed the image on to white CS and coloured with Altenew Artist Markers. I then added some details and highlights with a white gel pen. I cut the panel so it was 3 1/4 x 7 inches. After making a white card base that was 7 1/4 x 3.5 inches I adhered a panel of light grey CS. The gnomes were then put on top with a piece of white foam and I finished off with some Studio Katia pearls.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm definitely going to colour some more and I've worked out that I can cut some of them apart to make more than one card at a time (which is always good at this time of year.....). Its 8pm and I still haven't had any dinner, or eaten anything today come to think of it, no wonder my tummy is growling. Better go and see what I can rustle up. The kids have already had dinner so I can make whatever I like!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take care</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shona <br /></span></p>Shona Chambershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842705438453127839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759225168275350113.post-80288732124029265092020-12-10T20:00:00.061+13:002020-12-10T20:00:06.187+13:00Reminder: TIME OUT Challenge #176<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Hello there!! Its getting closer to the end of the week, hopefully yours has gone well and your slowly getting yourself organised for Christmas. I finally did some online shopping this week and started my baking, so far I've made 14 dozen cookies with a few more to go. All my gardening people seem to love them, so I take a plate and card to each of them on my last day of gardening before taking a break over Christmas.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_HfBS2s7YrWCwbEFsj_MK7QcI6UT7LAKKilqSyo8Qwa5RwzBbjgM1mliKp6n86DykdIugB8QKkVexlYLinxbiLjbf5SS5_gV-kWUf-FAXmsj2sC_BnyFjlf6EPW-t85ZTjdcD_1FwhE/s280/%2523176.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_HfBS2s7YrWCwbEFsj_MK7QcI6UT7LAKKilqSyo8Qwa5RwzBbjgM1mliKp6n86DykdIugB8QKkVexlYLinxbiLjbf5SS5_gV-kWUf-FAXmsj2sC_BnyFjlf6EPW-t85ZTjdcD_1FwhE/s0/%2523176.png" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">We have some words to inspire you for the current <a href="http://timeoutchallenges.blogspot.com/2020/12/challenge-176.html" target="_blank">TIME OUT </a>challenge. I really enjoy the word inspiration ones because you have so much to use for ideas, like one word in particular or maybe how the whole phrase affects you.....</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Sponsor for this challenge is the always fabulous <a href="https://www.newtonsnookdesigns.com/" target="_blank">Newtons Nook</a> and they are very generously giving a $25 gift voucher to the winner. And they have so many new release goodies to choose from too!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKJk4d4EmiNCk0_9rWXW8m9m_-NEaqi-_SJpfjWhsWWkSgpLgGNpNF_yM0WyMXi0AXAuOUU4x7kk2ItywtML1d3MQgW0xN2upSWERjbJ-kCO2eX5YAEqEjMo72zfD6tA-dxP9xRSd0yk/s200/Newtons+Nook+Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="108" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKJk4d4EmiNCk0_9rWXW8m9m_-NEaqi-_SJpfjWhsWWkSgpLgGNpNF_yM0WyMXi0AXAuOUU4x7kk2ItywtML1d3MQgW0xN2upSWERjbJ-kCO2eX5YAEqEjMo72zfD6tA-dxP9xRSd0yk/s0/Newtons+Nook+Logo.png" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />For my card I was going to go with an angel theme but I then got thinking about things with wings and got a little side-tracked:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJ5Mdgc4DKdSYExx1NGI0FIBqxsu1vktDVyRh1XoijvWRlKJX72WeZal96UhCpDzBNwIvwllOuzdmelczbPaN8Hlzw-aD9bIldecS9QL9AQrQKioDYFV-3Vn7_-lWjAFwbwGwpBD-yJo/s640/TO+%2523176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJ5Mdgc4DKdSYExx1NGI0FIBqxsu1vktDVyRh1XoijvWRlKJX72WeZal96UhCpDzBNwIvwllOuzdmelczbPaN8Hlzw-aD9bIldecS9QL9AQrQKioDYFV-3Vn7_-lWjAFwbwGwpBD-yJo/w640-h640/TO+%2523176.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Not your usual angel but pretty cute nonetheless. I always thought the saying 'if pigs could fly' was hilarious and the thought of seeing pigs roaming the skies, oinking away definitely makes me smile. Although the 'poo' situation would be a bit more dramatic than if it was a bird....</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I started by stamping images from Funky Fossil Designs 'Hogs and Kisses' and 'Bee's Knees' on white CS with Gina K Amalgam Black ink. Of course I used my favourite Altenew Artist Markers to colour them in and fussy cut them out.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">On the card front I blended Distress Ink 'Salty Ocean' over the Funky Fossil Designs 'In the Clouds' stencil, and 'Mowed Lawn' over the 'Scenic Borders' stencil. I then used Gina K Connect Glue to pop the images in place. To finish off I white heat embossed the sentiment from Funky Fossil Designs 'Whimsy Town', put it on foam tape and glued on some Studio Katia pearls for a bit of shine.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">You have until Wednesday 16th December to link your projects to the <a href="http://timeoutchallenges.blogspot.com/2020/12/challenge-176.html" target="_blank">TIME OUT </a> challenge and if your needing any ideas, pop over to the blog to see what the rest of the Design Team and our talented Guest Designer Jenny of <a href="https://jensjust4funcards.blogspot.com/2020/12/every-time-bell-rings.html" target="_blank">My Paper Epiphany</a> have created for you. Looking forward to seeing you in the Gallery!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take care</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shona</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <br /></span></p>Shona Chambershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842705438453127839noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759225168275350113.post-6674162671131801952020-12-08T21:35:00.001+13:002020-12-08T21:35:31.752+13:00Happy Holidays<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">What a warm couple of days its been!! Unfortunately its also been extremely windy, which is not much fun when you work outside all day but the temperatures have been so balmy, especially at night. Its 9pm now, we still have all the doors and windows open and I'm sitting here in my summer pjs....its bliss! Although when I go to bed and watch my iPad in the dark, all the bugs that have flown in thru the windows will be all over me like last night....was like a horror movie!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPtlOXycww5KDMDkCsm3NC3BdmUCFqcutNTO_24Q2OKXI5MfUDZ2qcF6eKSC71FrlkIryPyik2GVZMy1N-YCIICMMXMhCLwQIigSAGzJedi-Odh0y4TGFUatJ5EN37bz3pBUHEiJoRsk/s400/AlexSyberia-Design-Bunner-Flowers-White-Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="400" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPtlOXycww5KDMDkCsm3NC3BdmUCFqcutNTO_24Q2OKXI5MfUDZ2qcF6eKSC71FrlkIryPyik2GVZMy1N-YCIICMMXMhCLwQIigSAGzJedi-Odh0y4TGFUatJ5EN37bz3pBUHEiJoRsk/w400-h160/AlexSyberia-Design-Bunner-Flowers-White-Blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Last month I purchased two digital images from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/AlexSyberiaDesign" target="_blank">Alex Syberia Designs.</a> She is such a talented artist and really keeps on trend with the images she creates. As I may have mentioned I'm obsessed with anything to do with gnomes but haven't been in a position financially to purchase many stamps or dies. So when I saw the ones that Alex had created, I bought them straight away:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXjS9tLGMGDqvHx7OPiUdTRhw-f3iwx80qbPH_5wAvHaz4SubLDLmsZc6EkMXd7EBQ9PJUgGotft0cygYe5XEpFNY7tG1dytaPvtWM8M2COYgHVkKutZLoiV-pfT6ozJsYgZdGYTd7Oo/s640/Gnome+Xmas+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXjS9tLGMGDqvHx7OPiUdTRhw-f3iwx80qbPH_5wAvHaz4SubLDLmsZc6EkMXd7EBQ9PJUgGotft0cygYe5XEpFNY7tG1dytaPvtWM8M2COYgHVkKutZLoiV-pfT6ozJsYgZdGYTd7Oo/w640-h640/Gnome+Xmas+card.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />This gnome is so adorable but I feel I may have left him a little cold, as I seem to have made him shirtless by colouring his arms a 'skin' colour. Maybe he's been doing a lot of Christmas baking so needed to cool off??.....</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">My husband printed the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/nz/listing/898392441/christmas-cute-gnome-digi-card-panel?ref=shop_home_active_7&crt=1" target="_blank">Christmas Cute Gnome Digi stamp image</a> on some white CS so that he would fit perfectly on a 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inch card front. He's actually a much larger image to colour than I've ever done before and my Altenew Artist Markers were starting to run out (was waiting on an order of refills) so decided to make his hat more grey/white to save some ink. And I had lots of fun doing his beard with lots of shades of grey.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Once I had finished I went around the edge of the images with a light blue marker, to give him a bit of glow and cut him down to slightly smaller than the card front. I cut a panel of dark grey CS to adhere to the card and then popped him up on a piece of white foam. To finish off I glued on some pearls from Studio Katia.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Luckily my husband printed off a few of the images I purchased, so I have some more colouring to do. And might see if he can experiment with the size as well, to see if he can be made a little smaller.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have one other image to share with you, just need to finish off adding some highlights (which I forgot about with this one) and get some photos taken. My day is busy again tomorrow, everyone wanting their gardens to look tip-top for Christmas but hopefully I can come home and take the photos to show you tomorrow night. My bed, my iPad and Law and Order Season 13 are calling my name, time to say goodnight.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take care</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shona</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>Shona Chambershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17842705438453127839noreply@blogger.com2