December Unstampabelle's challenge - KIS - A Christmas card

Hello friends.

It is December, that magical time of year. Except I made my card for this challenge back in October, as you do. Plus, it is my second Christmas card I've made this year.

The challenge at Unstampabelles this month is to keep it simple. We are all busy so very apt. I'm sure you can make one or even two projects for this. Could be a card, or some other crafty thing. Surprise us.

I did make a card. I started with an American Crafts pre printed card. It had a snowflake and Let It Snow written on it. Well, here in sunny Australia, I can't really use that so I used it as a base.

I had a pleated flower in my stash. These are fun and easy to make. Here is a link to a tutorial if you'd like to try it yourself or maybe make some with your kids/grandkids. Pleated flower

I added some patterned paper which I had distressed the edges of. I have a nice little set of Christmas washi. Are mushrooms Christmassy? Anyhow, good colours and adds a little interest. Then I just added a sentiment, the flower and a pretty holly sticker.

A quick and easy card.

Hope you're enjoying the start of the festive season.

Dale x

November Unstampabelles' challenge - Make it colourful - 2 cards

Hi there,

Racing through the year now.

Time to see what I did for the November Unstampabelles' challenge. Here is the criteria.

 #117: Colour my World TWIST: make it colourful   

An open theme 

I chose to make two cards.  I really loved the pattern on a tissue box I had and decided to cut off the ends and make two cards from them. They had a lovely Australian botanical pattern.

Here is the box.

Here are my two cards.

I added patterned paper, ribbon, die-cuts and sticker sentiments. Couldn't resist some sequins to finish off.

Thanks for looking.

Dale x

October challenge - Unstampabelles - Story Time

I love October. My birthday month.

I love reading, particularly a good story. I love writing on my scrapbook pages and recording the story too.

This challenge is a wonderful one in my opinion.

Check out Unstampabelles #116: October

 Everyone has a Story                            TWIST: use a page from a book somewhere in                                                                                                                      your piece

I'm looking forward to seeing the entries. Here is mine to inspire you.

and each page, a little closer

The book page is an archival safe one from October Afternoon.

I do love to include memorabilia in my travel albums. Do you?

Hope you can join us. Check out what the other Designers did.

Dale x

September's challenge at Unstampabelles

Hi there,

Here is my DT example for Unstampabelles' challenge: 

#115: September - Salutations and Greetings TWIST stencils in background

I've used a 12x12 stencil on another project. It was bolder on that paper. This is the negative that I have used. I used spray inks on the stencil, then pressed it against this white 12x12 paper and used my brayer to press the ink on to it.  It is a subtle effect but I was happy for that for this project. I wanted all the focus to be in the middle on my son. That' where your eye goes instead of looking at the background. 

I picked up the colours from the photograph to use.

I keep a small box with altered backgrounds for use in future projects. Saves waiting for ink or paint, etc to dry.

Using stencils is really fun. Have a go!

Dale x

Selfie Time

August at Unstampabelles

It's all about Me!                     TWIST: use a self portrait - does not need to be a photo

I don't mind a selfie.  I've gotten quite good at them.  I prefer to take them with others usually.

I like leaves a lot, I have them on my home decor (especially my bed linen) and I like to use them on crafting projects too.  I took my inspiration from the wallpaper I was featuring in my selfie. I had gotten some new stickers from Wish (from China). They are lovely but very hard to peel the backing off of.

Thanks for looking.

Dale x

Set of 2 canvases

In this wintery Perth weather it is good to stay indoors. 

I promised my son I would create a canvas for him using his favourite photos for his room. A kind friend had given me 2 square blue ones previously. I decided that I would use them for this purpose.

I looked at the colours in the photograph and chose corresponding acrylic paints.

I had seen a cool technique online and wanted to try it myself. It was really simple and involved a window wiper. I use these in my shower every day so I got it out.

You simple place dobs of paint around the canvas and then sweep down from the top to the bottom until you've done the whole canvas.  Such a fun and quick technique.

I also wanted to add a bit more texture so I got a stencil and some gesso and added some to each canvas. Once on each but on opposite sides.

Then I added an 8x8 patterned Creative Memories paper to the middle of each canvas. I had 4 photos for each canvas which I had doubled mounted to highlight them.

Lastly, I wanted to add some chipboard titles. For the friends one I made a little patterned paper box for the title. I coloured the cb and added dimensional magic.

For the boys with attitude I used two nuvo drops colours.

I hope my son loves them. I am sure that he will.

These are my second Design Team offering for this month's challenge at Unstampabelles.

You can enter anything into this month's challenge as long as it involved mixed media and it has "art and all that jazz" incorporated.

Dale x

Exciting Unstampabelles' challenge - mixed media canvas

Hi there.

I was really excited to create this month's DT submission. I knew just what I wanted to do when I read the challenge.

Here it is.

July - Art and all that Jazz              

Whatever art you are into...music, painting, carving, writing, drawing, making stuff, the art of craft.........               

 TWIST: multi-media piece

What pops into your mind? I thought wall canvas immediately.

I already had a fun art deco canvas to start with that I bought at Kmart over a year ago.  

I visited New Orleans in September 2019. I spotted a Ciao Bella paper pack called Jazz Club last year so I had to buy it. It had the perfect background for this canvas.

I used Mod Podge - paper - to adhere it to the page and splattered 3 different ink colours over it all.

I picked a stock image of a saxophone from the internet and printed it on white cardstock. I also stamped some music sheets using onyx Versa ink.

I had some cute chipboard music notes which I've added, painted black. Had to add the word jazz using Thickers.

Lastly I added some ribbon that had music notes printed on it.

I had a lot of fun creating this and it was a really easy project.

Head over to Unstampabelles to add your project. I can't wait to see your creations.

Dale x

June 2021 Unstampabelles' challenge

 Hello,

First day of winter in Australia is 1 June. We have just left autumn. I mention this because this month's challenge at Unstampabelles is about seasons.  If you are in the northern hemisphere you will have just left spring and are headed into summer.

So, the challenge is:

 Seasons and Seasonal                 Can be whatever season you are currently in or leaving         

  TWIST: use handmade flower(s)

I chose autumn.  These colours would be reds, orange, yellow, brown, etc.

I have made a card. I used my 1" square punch to create a grid background. I've used some punches to make a layered card. It has 4 layers and I've used ink and scrunching and added some twine and a pearl brad for its centre.  These are easy flowers to make out of scraps of paper and can look very effective.

You can make any project. Go ahead and link it up on the Unstampabelles' linky tool. Don't forget to check back each week for new inspiration from other Design Team members.

Dale x

May 2021 Unstampabelles' challenge - Adventures

Hi all. May is upon us. Looking for a fun project? Try this challenge at Unstampabelles.

Challenge #111

ADVENTURES 

TWIST: Use something three times

Repetition is the key -three buttons; one word - repeated there times; three different papers or ribbons or die cuts.....whatever is in threes.

I've decided to do a layout.

You can see that I have used a 6x6 patterned paper with suitcases on it. I divided it into 3 to help meet the criteria and fill up more of the 12x12 page. The base page is also divided into 3.  I've also used a 3 word title. I've made an embellishment feature using my 1 inch square punch and added 3 small stickers on each one.

This is an easy challenge. Jump on it.

Regards,

Dale 

Scrapbook layout of my cat - April Unstampabelles' challenge

 April Unstampabelles' challenge is here.

 Challenge #110

Animal Fun

Any animal you use -human or non-human - will fit this one

Plus it is around Easter

TWIST: Layer it up

Adding layers to your work in whatever medium

I've done a layout of my sweet kitty, Georgia.

I've used Kaisercraft's High Tea collection. The background paper s called Tea Leaves.

Give this one a go folks.

Dale x

Zoom - a scrapbook layout about lockdown

Hello there,

Time for March's challenge at Unstampabelles .

Challenge #109

Lockdown 

TWIST: Scrap It! (but card will be accepted if they follow theme)

I'm sure everyone has photos that they took during lockdown. Could be the empty toilet roll shelf at the supermarket, could be mask wearing. 

I chose to document singing rehearsal over zoom. A very trying experience indeed.

The top photo shows our Chorus' Director with a little pic of me in the corner. The bottom photo shows how I put my music and ipad on the ironing board to get some height so I could stand and sing.

Of course there is a lot of journalling needed to explain the photos.

A technique I used was to use a dauber and inkpad to decorate my chipboard. An easy one I'm sure many of you use.

Thanks for looking.

Dale x

Anything goes at Unstampabelles

Well, it is 2021. Hope you enjoyed your break. Unstampabelles' always has January off challenge-wise.

February is an anything goes challenge. Do what you like.  There is no reason not to enter. Let's see what you've got.

I recently completed a Broome holiday album.

Here is a beach page from it.

Cheers,

Dale x

Fancy fold Christmas card for December challenge at Unstampabelles

 Hello. Welcome to December 2020.

Time for a new challenge. You can make anything but it must include the following:

#107 December: Joy -

the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires : DELIGHT; the expression or exhibition of such emotion : GAIETY: a state of happiness or felicity : BLISS: a source or cause of delight

                    TWIST : a music twist...ie Carols/ Carol singing; instruments; drummer boys; bird song; concerts; music bringing joy

I have chosen to make a fancy fold card. Thanks to Mitzi for the pattern.

I will give this card to my son's girlfriend's family.  The girlfriend wrote the Christmas message for me, but she didn't know it was going to be used in her own card. It will be a nice surprise for her I hope.

I've also made another card using this pattern to enter into Mitzi's challenge at Soul Scrappers.

Do you have a preference? They are the same design but give a different feel. Second one suits a family with kids I think.

Happy holiday season.

Dale

November Unstampabelles' challenge

 Hi there,

I usually post in the first week for this challenge but was too busy this time round.

The challenge is:

#106 November: Believe   to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something or someone, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so. 

Can be in a person or a myth or fairy tale or yourself.

                    TWIST : use an unusual fold

Here is my card.

It is a 3 panel gate fold style. Very easy to make. 

I am very much in Christmas mode at the moment. I've been wrapping presents. So much fun.

Hope you join in.

Dale xx

Thank you card with a tag

I love October. It is my birthday month. I will celebrate this Wednesday.

How about some inspiration?

You could try this month's challenge at Unstampabelles.

Here is the criteria and my example

#105 October: Inspire - who or what was your inspiration into the world of paper craft? 

                 TWIST: a Thank You card or tag using the word Inspire 

Dale

A tag on a card. Inspired by my Mum who introduced me to crafting at a young age.

I have used a Phase Eight clothing label tag, which was a double.  I love that clothing brand. This is the back. Yes, I also love a bargain. haha

I added a different coloured piece of vellum on each one and a different piece of patterned paper on each as well.

Then, I used some scraps from another project, mostly Kaisercraft bits.

Lastly, the black word Inspire is a sticker from Creative Memories. Appropriate for the challenge because I got into proper scrapbooking from a Creative Memories home class way back when.

Dale x

Get Well card

Unstampabelles' challenge 

#104 September: Phoenix (rising from the Ashes) - as in salvaging a craft 'mistake' perhaps? Getting an education or career after a slow beginning; recovering from an illness ie Breast Cancer; celebrating a divorce?

                   TWIST: use an embossing folder 

This one stumped for a little while.  Then I thought about sending a card to someone who has been unwell.

I love the colour combo of blue, green and white. It's so fresh.  This is a particularly pretty embossing folder that I've used as well.

Dale x

Unstampabelles' July challenge - double page spread

Hi.

It's time for my DT take on the newest Unstampabelles' challenge,

#102 July: Celebrating Relationships - Relationships aren't just about what happens in your love life! Most important relationships do involve feelings but don't involve any romance, for example with family, friends and teachers.

           TWIST : work in pairs or have a pair of things somewhere in your work. Has to be about a positive relationship

Background paper is double sided, have used both sides for my double page spread. They are from an old Kaisercraft collection called Lush.
Two photos have two people and both of those photos have been double mounted.
Two flowers on left page, plus two circular embellishments on each page.
Also two grey sticker spots on each page.
Family enjoying a drink at a cafe.

Don't forget - don't use stamps.
Start creating.

Dale x

A Disney titled scrapbook layout

Welcome to my post to show my Design Team take on this month's challenge at Unstampabelles.

#101: Magic TWIST use a Disney Film Title as your other theme

 TWIST : take a Disney Film Title and create around that, naming it in your journalling

I have chosen the 1985 film "Return to Oz".  You may know that Oz is a nickname for Australia, where I live.

My layout is centred on a photo of my sons on the plane on our return flight from Hong Kong. We had a magical family holiday there. We all remember it fondly.

This is the last page in my Hong Kong album. We did of course visit Disneyland whilst we were there.

You can choose any Disney film title you like. 

Remember, no stamping.

Cheers,

Dale x

Blue and white card

Unstampabelles' challenge


May: Wings and Wind - what do they mean? Angels, birds, spirits, seasons ie blowing away the cobwebs; the feeling of flying; seabreeze; kites; boats, bird wings..........in Australia it is also Mother's Day so it may work as a Mother's Day theme.......being carried in the wings of a mother's love?

            TWIST : must be predominantly White and Blue

I've had this big blue butterfly die-cut in my stash forever.  I was pleased to be able to use it.
The background paper is white with blue flocked stripes.
I used two more die-cut circle shapes, two flowers, and a pearl and some rhinestones to complete this card.

I love blue and white together. It is a lovely colour combo.

Dale x

Copying a tag by the Scrappy Doctor

Here is a really fun challenge for you from Unstampabelles.


#99 April: Creative Souls or Being Creative -  when everything is about art! Creating it, looking at it, admiring it, buying it; selling it; enjoying it..........

           TWIST -  name a creative person you admire and CAS a piece of their work, without using stamps of course. 


Do you love it? I did.

I've admired the work of Natalie Elphinstone for years.  Here is a link to her blog Onescrappydoctor. I also admire that she is an OB/GYN and a mother but she still finds time to consistently be creative.

I follow her on Instagram too. A very recently saw a post she did about gift tags that she makes. The one she made was quite different from my usual style but I liked it and thought I would like to try it. It's great way to use up scraps too.

Here's her insta post.

I gathered together some similar bits and pieces from my stash.

Here is my version.

I liked the way that she went over the edge of her tag so I have done that too.  I will give this a go again I think.

Join in the challenge. You can make whatever you like. Just be sure in your post to reference the work that you copied and remember not to use stamps.

Dale x