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

Space themed layout for December Archi-scraps challenge

 

My oldest son, in particular, loved Space growing up. We were lucky enough to attend The Kennedy Space Centre on our US trip back in 2010. I bought a scrapbooking kit in their gift shop. Perfect for my photos.  Look at my cute hand made tag too!

This is my DT example for December's Archiscraps' challenge. Here is your inspo pic:

A Futuro House getting transported in Todmorden, Yorkshire, England - 1971

There was a "spaceship" a bit like this near Rossmoyne and I always knew I was close to my Grandparents house when I saw it. A great landmark. Not there any more of course.

The theme is space or futuristic. See what you can do. Join in.

Dale x

ARTastic December 2021 Design challenge

Wow, it's December!

Hope all are well. I'm looking forward to Christmas.

Here is a cute challenge for you. 

This challenge blog is an Australian one. This month's inspiration is:

Adrienne Higgs with "Christmas Kangaroos".

Why not have kangaroos (boomers) as we three kings?

You must add stars to your creation.

Here is my card and I'll explain what inspired me.

I saw that there were stars in the background. I've added stars in the background using chalk and a stencil.  The chalks I used are by Pebbles and they are iridescent. They look very pretty in real life.

There are also stars in the polar bear scene. 

All the animals are facing right. I definitely have a lot more than 3 and they're not kangaroos, but I figure that is AOK.

This was the first Christmas card I made for the year (back on 29 September). 

I wonder how you will be inspired. Head over to the facebook page to enter here.

Dale x

November Archiscraps' scrapbook challenge

Well, I know everyone would like to visit this cathedral. I have, a long time ago. Can you pick where it is?  It is a great view of the inside of Notre Dame in Paris. Gorgeous, right?

It is the inspiration photo at Archi-scraps this month, plus you need to use gingham. I really do not care for gingham myself but have used it a fair bit when I first started scrapping due to it being part of the Creative Memories range of papers in various colours. Of course, I still have some of that in my stash.

Here is my layout.

I've used some as a strip on the left of centre. Plus, I've used some washi in three places. I've picked up the colours that my family are wearing in the pics. Nice and subtle.

Check out what the other DT have done and off you go and make something. Join in the FB page here.

November challenge at ARTastic

When I saw this month's inspiration painting it reminded me of a canvas I had begun at a workshop on 12/8/18. There was not enough time to complete it at the workshop so I brought it home and there it sat.

I was inspired to complete it as I think it very nicely relates to the painting below.

Emma Uber with "Beauty will save the world"

I had drawn the design in pencil and painted some of the flowers and that was all.  I decided to use black around the edges for a more striking look.

Here is a pic of it part way completed. 

Here a couple of what I consider to be done. I'm no artist so I really was a bit scared of stuffing it up.  It could be way better but it looks alright and I had fun doing it. Mainly, I am glad I finally completed it. So, thanks Jane.

Thanks for looking.

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

Friend card

Hi there.

I've created a card for the Stick It Down challenge.  Here is the sketch.

Here is my card.

I decided to go very girly and use purple and pink.

I created that fabric flower in the middle and have been waiting on a project to use it for.

I think the frame works very well.

Thanks for looking.

Dale x

October ARTastic mixed media challenge

Here is a fun challenge.

Lyn Butchart with Aquatic Art

Don't you love the colours! The extra criteria is mixed media with ink. Yay.

I made a card.

This is a rather large card. I love the stencil I used. I added some soft lilac to white gesso. I've also stamped the green corner leaves and the sentiment. I've added a handmade lace and fabric flower that I made too.

You don't have to go the aquatic route, as I have shown, but of course you are welcome to.

Dale x

October Archi-scraps scrapbook challenge - a sketch

 This month's challenge at Archi-scraps is a sketch.

The sketch is from "Stick it down." 2014 

I regularly participate in their card challenge. I even won it once and got to be a Guest Designer.

Here is my layout.

My cat was having marvellous fun playing with the banner from my husband's birthday party that we had left in the lobby the night before. 

I used a white background so that all the colour would be focused around the photo and I've used a few of the colours from the banner and added a banner too.  Pretty pleased with the end result.

Join us. Sketches are easy and this one is a bit different.

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

Bright pink card

Hi everyone,

I've made a very bright pink card today.

I used this month's sketch at Stick it down.

For the strip I'ved used a misted white cardstock piece.

For the squares I've used 2 Heidi Swap acetate planner pieces. I don't do planner but happen to own these and I wanted a way to use them. As the sentiment is quite neutral this will be a handy card to have in my stash.

I've also got some pink gel flowers which are fun and a bit see through as well. 

Thanks for looking.

Dale x

2 x purple birthday cards

ARCHISCRAPS September challenge is here. Time for a new challenge. Are you ready?

Take inspiration from the picture below. It is a very purple door. Look closely at the window inserts, they're very ornate and pretty. There's also some black in there and brick too.

I went with black and purple and I took inspiration from the glasswork.  The criteria is to use shades of purple. We really want to see purple hues. Do not be spare with it.

See the blog for all the DT examples and upload your own at the Facebook page.

Dale x

ARTastic September layout

 Hi all,

Hope you're all doing well and getting lots of crafting done.

I've done a page for my DT position at ARTastic.

Here is my layout.

These are photographs from a 2019 trip we took with friends to Borneo - Malaysia. This is the first day of our trip where we stopped to get lunch.

Here is the inspiration painting.

It is by Robert Hagan called Big Guns.

There is also a sketch we need to use. Plus extra criteria is boys only.

This a great sketch that you could use over and over again.

I've picked up the colours from the painting, used a kraft background to represent the sand. I also used yellow and blue.

Jump on this. Head over to facebook and upload your layout there.

Dale x

Jane Howden

  · 28 February

HB card using washi

I have a birthday card for you to see today.

I chose to use washi tape to create the design. Just the black, red and white colours to make it bold. Using salmon accents and a bit of gold complemented these colours well.

Here is my card and you can see the sketch for this month's Stick it Down challenge below.

Thanks for looking.

Dale

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

August Archiscraps' reveal

 Hello scrappy friends,

Here is your challenge for this month at Archi-scraps.

Criteria is : Use concentric archways on your layout or card.

I've made a layout. I've used old stash patterned paper and cut it into an arch shape (also a football shape). It already had concentric arches on it.  A nice, easy way to interpret this challenge.

Have fun creating.

Dale x

Bee Happy cards for ARTastic August 2021 challenge

I have two cards for you to see today. They are simple but effective.

See the print below for this month's inspiration. The criteria is black and white, plus insects.  

I chose to make two cards using a set that came with a magazine. I used two of the acrylic stamps from this set.

For one card I have used my Creative Memories hexagon punches. The other card has simple stickers from Mrs Grossman that I have had forever.

Barbara Hanrahan with Butterfly Catcher (1990)

Materials used:  linocut, black ink on ivory Velin Arches paper

Hope you can join in this month. Go here to upload your entry.

Cheers,

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