Saturday, June 30

Digital Release: Doris and Daphne

The long awaited digital release of the dynamic duo has finally arrived! Yes, Doris and Daphne have hit the shelves as a set of digital stamps, and they're available now for purchase.

Doris and Daphne
digital stamp set

Friday, June 29

Thank You Jackie

I'd like to extend a huge thank you to our
guest artist for the past three months
Jackie Trinder
Jackie's work has been fabulously inspiring and I thoroughly recommend checking out her blog full of awesome creations. Pop over and sign up to become a follower so you don't miss any of her wonderful posts. You can also follow her on Instagram.
Thanks Jackie!


Thursday, June 28

Smile!

This is one guy who knows the benefits of a big, cheesy grin!
I coloured the image with copic markers on blending card, fussy cut around the edges and mounted him on some old patterned papers from my stash. The sentiment is from the same set.


Stamps: In The Woods

Tuesday, June 26

Warm Fuzzies

This little guy looks like he's been caught with his hand in the cookie jar! 


Stamps: In The Woods

Monday, June 25

Vacation Daze

We're Off
We'll be taking a two week break from today until the 8th of July. 

The online store will remain open for digital stamps, which will continue to be delivered directly to your email inbox. Although you will still be able to place orders for clear stamps, they will not be shipped until the 8th of July.

I have scheduled some automated posts for the blog and Facebook page for the duration of our down time, and while I expect to have email access, I'm not certain of how reliable it will be.

Sunday, June 24

New Release: In The Woods

I'm not sure how I'd feel coming face to face with animals like this on a nature hike, but it would sure make a good story! These guys are cute and quirky and can be mixed and matched with sentiments for all your fun-loving friends.

In The Woods
digital stamp set


My designs have made some fabulous and fun cards with the new set.


Friday, June 22

Coloured Page

Yep, it's yet another page from my hand-coloured stamp catalogue. This little book proved very useful at the craft show earlier this month, and got lots of handling. Luckily I applied a good liberal dose of sealer to each page so none of the colours smudged.


Thursday, June 21

An Experiment in Colour

I have a packet of beautiful aqua-coloured card stock that I like to drag out from time to time. Happily, I also have a pretty pencil that matches almost perfectly, making coordination a lot easier.


Stamps: Spring Tulips

Tuesday, June 19

Tulips

I've used the no-line stamping technique and watercolour paints to create an artsy, hand-painted look for my card. It's a fabulous, and easy, technique that really gives quite a different look to the finished project. You can find a tutorial for it right HERE on my blog.


Stamps: Spring Tulips

Sunday, June 17

New Release: Spring Tulips

I've seen tulip bulbs in huge barrels at nurseries with green shoots already starting to emerge from the tops. It's so tantalising to see them peeking through the outer skin, wondering what colour they're going to be once they are in the earth, watered and cared for. Sadly, none of them have ever come home with me because my thumbs are khaki at best, and certainly more brown than green. Thank goodness for stamps!



And now for some goodness from Anesha and Carla using the new stamps...


Friday, June 15

In The Tangled Garden

I used the pre-coloured image from the digital set to create a dimensional effect for my tangled garden. A little pair of sharp scissors, some fussy cutting and foam tape soon had my flowers popping off the page!



Tuesday, June 12

Happy Days

I have several rolls of fabulous multi-coloured twine that I rediscovered just recently, and decided to use it as inspiration for the colour choices on my card. I also added some Wink of Stella to the top of the flower to give it a bit of shimmer.



Monday, June 11

All the Fun of the Fair

Thank you so much to all the wonderful people who stopped by our stall at the Brisbane Scrapbook and Papercraft Expo. We had a fantastic time meeting you all and chatting about everything from papercraft to farming and painted Santas!


Sunday, June 10

New Release: Tangled Garden

In the spirit of Zen tangle, this new digital set features some fantastical flowers that are perfect for those who love to colour. The set includes mix-and-match sayings as well as full colour versions of all the line art for those times when you need a card in a hurry.

Tangled Garden
digital stamp set

My designers have created some fabulous and funky cards to help get you inspired. Don't forget to visit their blogs for all the information on their projects and to check out more of their fabulous work.



Thursday, June 7

Tutorial - Magic Window Card


This cool card is sure to win you extra kudos the next time a birthday rolls around, and rightly so! The image "magically" switches between black and white and full colour with the slide of a little tag... it's the Wizard of Oz of cards.


1. Start by stamping your image and sentiment on a piece of card stock measuring 3" x 5", then colour as desired. I used one of the snails from the Slugs and Snails clear stamp set and coloured with Copic markers.


2. Stamp the same image again on a piece of acetate using a solvent based ink like Staz On. Trim the acetate so that it's about 1/4" wider and longer than the coloured panel, making sure the image is centred.


3. To make the card base, you'll need a piece of kraft card stock measuring 53/4" x 101/2" folded in half, and a piece of white card stock measuring 51/2" x 5".


4. Use glue or double sided tape to adhere the coloured image to the very centre of the card front.


5. Cut a window from the centre of the white card stock that is 4" high and 23/4" wide. You should have a frame with a 3/4" wide top and bottom, and 11/4" wide sides.


6. On the back of the frame, apply strips of double sided tape around all four edges of the window. Set aside.

7. Line the stamped piece of acetate carefully over the coloured image. Make sure the lines are overlapping exactly.


8. Line the frame up carefully with the card blank leaving a small 1/8" border around the edges. Press the edges firmly so that the frame is secured to the acetate.


9. Now pick up the frame, which should be securely attached to the acetate. Decorate the frame as desired, then set aside.


10. Cut a piece of card stock for the tag, measuring 31/2" wide x 5" long. You'll also need two strips of card stock measuring 4" wide by 1/2" long and a tab to attach to the top.


11. Glue the two 4" x 1/2" strips together to make a stronger piece of card stock, then secure it to the back of the tag at the very bottom with double sided tape or more glue. Attach the tab to the top of the tag and stamp if desired.
(NOTE: You might notice that I glued one strip on the front and one of the back thinking this would be a better idea. However, the strip is visible in the window of my card, which is why I suggest gluing them both onto the back)


12. Now you need to apply double sided tape to the back of the frame that will act as a "track" for the tag. You want the tag to slide up and down behind the acetate, revealing and concealing the coloured image.


13. Leave a 1/8" gap between the edge of the tape and the strip on the bottom of your tag to allow for movement. Make sure you add a strip of double sided tape along the bottom of the frame so the tag doesn't fall out the bottom!


14. At the top of the frame, you will need to add tape that blocks the strip on the bottom of the tag from coming all the way out. Keep the tape about 1/8" from the side of the tag.


15. Place the tag at the top of the frame so that the strip is still inside the "track" you created. Hold it in place with a piece of low-tack tape (washi or magic tape works great). Remove the backing from all the double sided tape around the edges of the frame, line the images up carefully, then press into place.


16. Remove the low tack tape. The tag should move freely within the "track" you created without falling out the bottom or being pulled out the top.


17. Decorate the front as desired. I added another sentiment, a button, piece of twine and some hand-drawn grass and flies.


That's it,  you're done!


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