Often the prickly thorn produces tender roses

Here is the last of the set of 6 I made. For some reason Blogger would only allow me to upload 5 at a time!

The Title of this post is what is written on the card.

Stampotique Cuties

I made some ATC's (Art Cards) using the new range of Stampotique Rubber Stamps we have in our store...... love them!!
These were stamped with a black inkpad and embossed with clear embossing powder. The scan of these pics shows them a bit lighter than they really are, and I would have liked them even blacker..!
It would have worked better with black embossing powder - but I didn't have any available at the time of making them. The backgrounds were hand-painted and embellished using my trusty glaze pen (couldn't live without them)
I will make some more of these for trade and sale on my ETSY.
ENJOY!

I Scrapbooked - been a while!!

I attended the Printblocks Trade Workshop - I must admit I haven't done any layouts for a while. It was nice to actually create something using my photographs from our Bangkok/KL holiday. We got to use some gorgeous new papers and die-cuts from Amy Butler. Amy Butler Her fabric designs are now available in papers.... woohoo. They are gorgeous designs and with a subtle look of fabric. The die-cuts were especially nice, as they are quite vintage - which is right up my alley.

Here's a few pics for now. I will post again later with some more showing the MINI BOOK we began to create in the class. I finished it at home using some more of those holiday pictures.

Thank you for looking :) If you click on the individual pictures you can see a large picture which shows the detail and paper layering.

Happy New Year Dance

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Bec needs some Blog Love

Check out her latest tags - using the cutest "Stampotique" rubber stamps. I'm having a play with these too, they are quirky and fun.
We will be retailing them in our store.

Visit BEC and send her some blog love :)

One Lovely Blog Award

The lovely Michelle has presented me with another blog award, and a lovely one it is.
Thank you so much Michelle :)

As I have just awarded some awards (whew) I am posting this to show my appreciation. I have a little plan for some new style awards, so keep tuned!

Bec's Holiday Journal

Bec created some gorgeous journal pages from our holiday in Thailand and KL - you can see more of them on her flickr page :)

Awesome Giveaway

The fabulous Chrysti is giving away a fabulous calendar...... yes, that is the picture of the front of it by the talented and awesome Karyn Gartel The calendar is filled with such amazing goodness by some very talented ladies like Chrysti - Go check out the link, and enter......... but I've already sent out my "Positive Vibes" to the universe to win - teehee

Blog Award

I received another Blog Award, this time from the talented Tanya - Thank you Tanya for awarding me this :) I really appreciate you thinking of me and I absolutely adore your little "Gothic Petite Dolls".
Please visit her and see these for yourself :)

These little awards are so inspirational to me, they show me that my art is appreciated and that sharing is caring. I'm so grateful for my creative blog friends. You all constantly inspire me to stretch myself, to create more - to indulge my passions!! teehee

I would love to pass this award onto the following people:


Bec Lennox (Yup, My daughter - because she has now got a new artful blog - Bec is so Wild and Precious - I love her new blog name, it suits her to a T. Go visit her, and say hello :)

Susan Sager Brown - I love her blog so much, and we share a lot in common :)

Susan Tidwell - yup another Susan (talented aren't they) - I love the christmas theme for her blog - very festive :)

Alisa Nordholt-Dean - Some very pretty things here.

Sue McGettigan - yup another Sue!!! Goodness, It's Sue Day LOL
Go visit Sue's blog to hear some upbeat christmas tunes which made me smile and see some gorgeous work too :)

Shonna Buckaroff -Gorgeous whimsical creatures and fabulous art!

EXHIBITION 36 - Mixed Media Book by Susan Tuttle

The very talented Susan (Ilka's Attic) has released a new mixed media book, and it looks divine.
To win a copy, visit her blog or you can purchase the book from AMAZON -

Tuesday evening's cards

Here's a few more I made tonight..... its time for bed now, so sorry no explanation :)

ACEO / ATC's

I also managed to make some new cards over the last few nights - these are made to be framed. We (Bec and I representing ourselves and our store Scrappindipity) are attending a designer craft fair this coming weekend - and I wanted a display of affordable mini artworks, so how perfect are atc's and aceo's..... I love trading so will also be taking my "trade folder" with me :)

Retro Mini-Book

I finally got some time to get a little creative again - yay.

I started this little mini book last week while at a friends house in Rockingham.

It was started by hand painting a layer of cream paint (MM) then I added a layer of gesso and smudged it around, leaving little bits of the creamier colour. Next came some more colours stamped with a foam stamp (my newest) I mixed some colours onto the stamp and randomly plonked it on the page.
Then I grabbed another stamp and did the same thing.
A chipboard bird and branches were also painted and when it was dry i glued the chipboards in place.
I then completed each page the same way with the painting, and collaged some retro pinup girl images into various pages. Some pages are left prepared to add more imagery or text as I decide later on.
This is a different colour combination for me, i usually go for the messy grungy look - and rather liked playing with something different.
There are 10 pages in total.