GOT YOU FRAMED

I have a stash of handmade paper.  Over the last couple of years, a dear lady named Peg has held a papermaking day at her home. There is a lot of preparation and work on the day and Peg who is 82 just amazes me with her energy.  She's usually pretty worn out by the end of the day.  Sometimes, she disappears for a little while for a power nap.  I love doing paper making sessions with Peg.

I must admit though, after Peg asked me the other week if I wanted to make paper again next year, I was feeling a little guilty because I had not used the stack I already had.  I decided then to put in some effort and see what I could come up with.

Handmade paper has so much character especially with the addition of plant material and interesting fibres etc.

Once I got started, I was on a roll and just kept making stuff.  Lots of cards for a start.  Simple white backgrounds with the addition of a highlight stamp here or a bit of parchment there.  I'm happy with the results.  Last year, thanks to my friend Pam, we added gold leaf to the paper mix.  The little wink of gold inspired me to add some gold stitching to my cards.  I love combining paper craft and stitching. 

Bookmark and cover

just can't throw away those scraps

   baby cards


As I started using the new Itty Bitty Accents punches from Stampin' Up, I decided to make some inchies and one thing lead to another.  From cards to a gift for baby's nursery.

inchies

White box frames are perfect for baby gifts and I had one in the cupboard.  After lots of tearing, punching and stitching, here is the end result.

Let the paper be the star.

THE STUDIO

It's been on the cards for the last two years.  Finally, after much digging and moving of plants, I have a sandpit.

The dogs are loving it but not for much longer as the temporary fence is now up.

The levels and string lines are done, now to dig the footings. Hopefully, next week the Kalbarri Boys will bring on the concrete pump.

A big mess in the backyard that I'm more than happy to have. 

I wonder if it will be ready by Christmas?  Things are looking good.

HARDWOOD

What a beautiful stamp and so versatile.  Here is my take on it.  Stampin Up Hardwood

Papers: Blushing Bride, Naturals Ivory and Whisper White

Stamps: Potpourri Papillion, Hardwood, Petal Parade

Ink: Baked Brown Sugar, Coastal Cabana and Blushing Bride

Sizzix machine and various dies, hole punch, brown paper, rhinestones and trim.

A Friend of the Duchess

What a sad and tired little chest of drawers.

This little item was made at 136-142 Rokeby Road, Subiaco by A Kooperman, who I suspect may have been a WWII migrant.

Looks like late 1940's early 50's vintage.  The draw knobs are cute and will be re-used.

Wait until I introduce it to Annie Sloane Chalk Paint.  I'm thinking Provence or Florence and Graphite.

Oh Duchess, you are beautiful.

Yes!  Score!  here is my new acquisition.

Not sure what I'm going to do with it yet, just know I wanted it.  May leave it as is or may repaint with Annie Sloane Chalk Paint.  I only wish it could talk and tell me where it's been and what it's seen.

Thinking of using it in my studio when it's finally built.

I have another similar to this but it has been in pieces for years.  Maybe one day it will get put back together.

A Hunting We Will Go

Yippee

Laura and I are heading out for lunch today and I will be on the lookout for a piece of furniture for the entry hall of her new house.

A new project to dress up with Annie Sloane Chalk Paint.

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Dynamic Duos #99 and Retro Sketches #111

This week over at Dynamic Duos Challenge the colour scheme is Black and Rich Razzleberry which has been a favourite colour of mine for a long time, especially when combined with Crumb Cake.  Also allowed a touch of gold.

I've also been checking out Retro Sketches for some inspiration and am enjoying working with sketches lately, something I haven't done before, even though I've considered it.  What a source of inspiration these two sites are with their great design teams and the participants are posting some lovely cards.

Here is my "Black Tie" creation, with a touch of gold of course, that I will posting on both sites.

Paper: Crumb Cake, Rich Razzleberry, Black and Gold

Ink: Black and Rich Razzleberry

Stamps:  SU Hearts a Flutter

SU Embossing folder Vintage Wallpaper, Spiral Border Punch & Eyelet Border Punch (retired) 

Crumb Cake seam binding ribbon and Marianne Designs Eiffle Tower die.

Hero Arts Sketch Challenge

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Hero Arts is having a sketch challenge and seeing as though I'm on a roll making cards at the moment, I decided to enter  You can enter up until the 25th of May.  They are giving away Five $30 gift certificates.

Here is my entry using Hero Arts Flourish Leaf and Floral background stamp.

I've also used some Stampin Up supplies and you will recognize Wisteria Wonder, Pool Party, Soft Suede and Crumb Cake cardstock along with the same combination of ink.  Add a bit of bling and a piece of string and the card is complete.

I have some other Hero Arts stamps in my collection but do you think I can find them at the moment?
Three lovely little Japanese Dolls that will, no doubt, turn up when I'm not looking for them.

Retro Sketches #110

This is the second card I have created using a sketch.  I'm always interested to see what other card makers come up with.

Thanks to Linda for loaning me her See Ya Later Alligator stamps.  I missed getting them during sale-a-bration.

My card uses Stampin Up paper and inks.  The cute alligator head is core-dinations paper and it makes me think of Joanna the Goanna from "Rescuers Down Under".  The baker's twine is from my stash.  Stamp sets: Gorgeous Grunge and See Ya Later.

Dynamic Duos - Challenge #98

Soft Purple and Yellow.  Yep, I can do that.  The last colour challenge I did was Pistachio Pudding, Summer Starfruit and Black.  I didn't submit anything, just copied one card and made up one of my own.  I didn't really enjoy this colour combination but did end up with an acceptable masculine card so the effort wasn't wasted.

Soft Purple and Yellow should be much more fun.  I like purple and have used Stampin Up colours Wisteria Wonder (which is a little bit dirty) and So Saffron.

Stamps: Everything Eleanor, Elements of Style and Gorgeous Grunge
Paper: Watercolour, Whisper White, Soft Suede, Naturals Ivory, So Saffron and Wisteria Wonder
Accessories: Pretty print embossing folder, white embossing powder, white crochet cotton, Bitty Butterfly punch.
Inks: Wisteria Wonder, So Saffron and Soft Suede

I enjoyed using these colours together and would combine them again on future cards.