Dawn Lewis Imagery

2011-12-02T22:31:00.000-08:00

I had the loveliest day with my FDAA painting friends at our end of year meeting! Our activity today was making a gingerbread house from a kit. I found myself wandering the supermarket aisles last night, seeking lollies that would give me a Pintrest worthy gingerbread house. After all ... there was a prize up for grabs!

So, I decided on a pink & white theme, packed my piping kit (that hasn't seen the light of day for over 5 years!), and tackled my kit with gusto! At first I wondered why anyone would do this, but about 1 hour in, I was really enjoying it! I will definately make one again, and I've already started planning days for my girls to invite friends over to make gingerbread houses as well :D

I was very humbled, and excited to receive first prize for my house. Wow!

For some reason I can't upload a photo to Blogger today, so you can see it by clicking here!

Hello Dollies giveaway!

2011-10-29T14:35:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited o be having my first ever giveaway on Hello Dollies. To enter, it's really easy ... just go over to the Hello Dollies website and click on the 'giveaway' tab. You can click here for a shortcut ;)

Open to Australian residents only.
Entries close 2 November 2011.
See details on how to enter on the website.

Facebook is the new word of mouth!

2011-07-08T03:03:00.000-07:00

So, I've been spending a LOT of time on Facebook lately. No ... I am not playing Farmville, Mafia Wars or some other kind of 'ville' game. I am connecting with some other lovely mums, aunts and grandmothers who fancy owning a dolly or two, constructed by me. It's like going to the markets without having to pack up all my gear, unpack, set up, stand around, pack up, cart home and unpack again! Loving it!

Normally I would show some lovely dolly photos, but blogger isn't playing nice tonight. Instead you can go check out the action here ... Facebook/Hello Dollies.

Kenny K Krafty Girlz Challenge #50

2011-06-19T01:00:00.000-07:00

This week's theme is CHECKS ... use checks in some form on your card! The other bonus is to use a Kenny K stamp and be in the winning for a $15 gift certificate from Michelle's scrapbooking store. There are also 5 digital Kenny K stamps up for grabs!

Now, if you're feeling a bit poor (like my good self), why not rifle through your scraps and use up some of those leftovers before cutting into a new piece or card or paper!

Here are my ingredients:
Kenny K stamp - Club Kid
Greeting stamp - Darkroom door 'All Occassions'
Background motif stamp - Kaisercraft
Inks - Stampin' Up
Pattern Paper - K & Co
Ribbon - Autumn Leaves
Gem - Kaisercraft
Copic markers - Hair E13, E15, E17, E19, Face E50, E51, E53, YR02, Belt C9, 100, Eyes YG63, YG67, B0000, B00, Pants YG63, G94, G99, Shirt/shoes Y21, Y23, Y26, E13, Tie/jacket/shoes YR00, YR02, YR04, YR07, clear spica, sand spica

So, get on over to the Kenny K shop, nab yourself this month's freebie and pick up a fave or two while you're there. Then get on over to the Kenny K's Krafty Girlz blog and enjoy the rest of the amazing cards the DT has for you!

Also, this is my final post as a Kenny K Krafty Girl. Sadly I have had to step down from the DT as I have a whole bunch of 'stuff' going on at home that take up a lot of my time. Doesn't leave me much time for colouring I'm afraid :( I have really enjoyed being KKKG, and a great big thanks goes out to all the girls on the DT who have made me feel so welcome :)

I'm also entering this card in the Mad 4 Markers challenge - brown hair.

Hello Dollies is taking unlimited custom orders!

2011-06-17T18:53:00.000-07:00

If you are seeking a beautiful handmade doll that will stand up to enthusiastic play by your little one, then you are definately in the right place! It's all happening over at the Hello Dollies Facebook page, where I am taking unlimited custom orders this week! Sure, I will be taking custom orders right through to November, but if you have a birthday or christening to buy for, just drop me an email at dlewis71@aapt.net.au and give me some details. You can get to the Facebook page via the button in the right column, or via my website www.HelloDollies.weebly.com

Here are some of the lovely dolls I make from Bit of Whimsy Dolls patterns.
And some made from my own patterns.

Kenny K Krafty Girlz Challenge #48

2011-06-05T01:00:00.000-07:00

I LOVE sketches ... and card sketches are no exception! For those times when you just want someone else to tell you how to throw it all together quickly, or desire a challenge of interpreting a sketch in your own unique way ... they're gold! This week's Kenny K's Krafty Girlz challenge is no exception to that rule! The lovely Donna presented the DT with this sketch, and I found this card incredibly quick to put together. PLUS, this is one of the gorgeous new release stamps

Our challenge to you ... use a Kenny K stamp (digi or rubber) and see what you make of Donna's sketch! Why? Because there are lovely prizes up for grabs, and you gotta be in in to win it!
There are 2 digital kids from Bearly Mine Designs, and 5 digi images of your choice from the Kenny K shop! Why wouldn't you want all that digi goodness????

So ... first things first ... get over to the KKKG blog and check out the rest of the DT's amazing interpretations of this sketch. Next, grab yourself a Kenny K stamp from the shop (if you haven't already) and get going!

Lastly ... here's my list of ingredients:
Stamp - Kenny K's 'Wedding Garter'
Greeting stamp - Darkroom Door 'All Occassions'
Navy Ink - Stampin' Up
Flowers - Prima
Brad, ribbon, doily, gem - stash
Lt blue dot paper - unknown
Dk blue dot / stripe paper - My Minds Eye
Copic Markers - Skin E50, E51, E53, Hair Y11, Y21, Y23, Y26, E13, Lips R00, R02, R05, Eyes G21, G24, Dress & Garter B0000, B00, B02, B05, Tiara Gold Spica
Distress Ink - Tumbled Glass

Princess Pointy Shoes prints for sale

2011-06-02T22:57:00.000-07:00

I did a trial print run with a new printer today, and I am very excited to finally say that I can now offer 10x8 prints of my Princess Pointy Shoes canvas paintings!

You can find them in my Etsy shop, Hello Dollies, including:

PPS - Let them Eat Cake
PPS - Hippy Chick
PPS - Hazy Shade of Winter
PPS - Hippity Hop

They are currently at an introductory price of $10 each, with either a matte or gloss finish.

Kenny K Krafty Girlz Challenge #46

2011-05-22T02:30:00.000-07:00

This week's challenge is to create a WOW card... no, not your normal WOW,/fabby cards, but WHITE ON WHITE, so I would like to see a white card, with a coloured image, (will allow coloured sentiment), if you want the chance to win the fabby prizes below, make sure you use a KK image !

http://www.craftyemmasstore.co.uk/

is offering a fabby (lol) new stamp called FABULOUS, to the lucky winner,

http://www.kennykdownloads.com/

as always, 5 fantastic digi stamps, of the winners choice.

Ingredients for this were all grabbed from my stash. The big label is Martha Stewart, I used my Cuttlebug embossing die for he dotted embossed cardstock.

Santa's Little Helper stamp - Studio G
Sassy Santa - Kenny K, Mrs Clause
Copic colours - E50, E51, E53, R02 (skin), R20, RV21, RV23, RV26 (outfit), R00, R02 (lips), C1, C3, C5, C7, 100 (hair), G24, G28, R37 (holly), E31, E33, E35, E37 (sack), gold spica (bells)

Now, get on over to the Kenny K's Krafty Girlz blog and check out the amazing white on white cards the rest of the DT has made!

Less housework = more time to bake!

2011-05-17T20:54:00.000-07:00

So, with hubby home for the last 5 weeks, he has been taking care of the basic stuff that needs doing around the house like dishes, floors & laundry. That has left me a bit more time to bake up a storm. Since I'm budgeting like a crazy lady, I figured I'd go through the goodies I'd stored up in my shelf of tinned goods. OMG! I had berries, pie apples, refried beans, 3 jars of salsa ... what the? So, I started finding recipes that use the ingredients and we've been eating better meals and home-baked goodies for a month! Delicious! Today I also made a pear & raspberry bread, we're making air-popped popcorn for after school and Princess #1 learned how to make vegetable fritters at school, so she's having a go at making them for us for dinner tonight!

Kenny K Krafty Girlz Challenge #44

2011-05-08T01:05:00.000-07:00

Ok people ... Let's Go Retro!!

Here we are, it's Kenny K's Krafty Girlz challenge #44, and we want you to break out some funky moves and go retro! Why? Well, because you could win 5 Kenny K digi stamps of your choice ... that's why! To be in the running, enter a card (or something awesome) made using any Kenny K image, and you could win! And our sponsor this month is Fantasic Ribbons offering up a scrummy bag of buttons as a prize!

Ingredients for my card:
Stamp - Kenny K's Glam Gang 'Soho'
Design papers - Grace Taylor stack
Flower - Maya Road
Greeting stamp - Darkroom Door 'All Occasions'
Copic markers: Skin E50, E51, E53, YR00, Hair E13, E15, E17, E19, Eyes E71, E74, E77, B0000, B00, Dress/boots YR00, YR02, YR04, YR07, Lips R00, R02, R05, Belt BG01, BG05, BG09
I also used black spica and clear spica pens.
Ink on greeting stamp is SU's Really Rust.
Corner rounding punch - CM

This card will be for sale on my Facebook Page ... just click this link and type SOLD underneath if you wish to purchase it :)

But right now, if you seek inspiration, then get on over to the KKKG blog and check out what the DT has in store for you. Amazing!

Blissful break

2011-04-28T03:58:00.000-07:00

I've been dealt rather a complicated hand in 2011, and although I do believe we will come out ok at the end, the middle bit is less than fun.

So, my awesome dh insisted I take a few days and go and have some R&R. So off to Barrington Tops I did go for some peace & quiet. Apart from the fighter jets breaking the sound barrier 5 times yesterday, and a couple of boys chasing ducks around my cabin, it was bliss. Wallabies came to visit me, and there were satin bower birds, king parrots and kookaburras. I could just paint on without having to stop to answer the phone, pick kids up from school or cook dinner (unless I was hungry). I read a book and drank moscato in the big spa bath. I think I should do this every year!

So, I revisited my notes from the Fabulous Faces & Portraits course I am doing with Willowing (Tamara Laport), and cracked open the acrylic paints and canvas. Happy is kind of an understatement ... I am really really thrilled with these paintings. I did them from absolute scratch (and let's just say, I'm really not great at drawing), and tried some bold colours. I think they work :D

Kenny K Krafty Girlz Challenge #42

2011-04-24T01:05:00.000-07:00

Don't ask me how it happened, I can only put it down to needing a new blue ink cartridge in my printer. That floral paper is supposed to be blue ... not pink!!!!! Sorry Donna!

OK ... so our challenge this week is 'Spring Time', and although autumn is setting in, I was able to use my beautiful flowering camelias as inspiration. Our sponsor this week is Bearly Mine Designs with 2 digi sets up for grabs as well as 5 digital images from the Kenny K shop. Why would you NOT enter???

So, ingredients for my card:
Kenny K stamp - Troublemaker
Ditial papers - Bearly Mine Designs (I added the scallop circle & greeting in Photoshop before printing the design papers).
Copic markers
Distress Ink - Wild Honey
Tiny flower stamp - Darkroom Door, All Occasions, stamped in Wild Honey

I have had a sneak peek at what the rest of the DT has for you and it's awesome (as usual). Get on over to the Kenny K's Krafty Girlz blog and check it out!!!!

This card will be for sale via my Facebook page ... click here to go to the card folder!

A special Hello Dollies sale!

2011-04-16T01:27:00.000-07:00

Do you love to buy handmade?
Do you have little boys and girls who need a special friend to cuddle?
Do you love a good sale?

If you answered yes all round, then get thee onto Facebook and 'like' the Hello Dollies page. Sunday 17th April, 7pm (EST, Australia) you just need to type 'sold' into the box of your favourite dolly and they are ready to go to new homes! Well ... except the custom spots, only 2 available at a discounted price, and I'm sure they'll go fast!

Click here to go to the Hello Dollies Facebook page.
Click here to go to the Hello Dollies Etsy shop.
Click here to go to the Hello Dollies website.

Help for Japan Blog Hop

2011-04-11T12:00:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to a very special blog hop today! You may have been on the first hop that Whimsy put on for this special cause. Well, there were so many who volunteered to join in that we had to do a second one! The illustrators of Whimsy Stamps have come together to draw a special set of digi images for the purpose of raising money for the relief effort in Japan. All proceeds from the sale of these images will be donated to that cause. Kenny K, Raindrop Echo Designs, Meljens Designs, and Crissy Armstrong all contributed art work.

For the whole month of April, you can purchase the images as a set or individually (your choice) by visiting this page on the Whimsy store site. Please consider helping this special cause by purchasing one or all of the digital images we are offering.

If you have landed here from Jackie's blog, you are right on track. If you have come here randomly and would like to start hopping from the beginning, please go to Ann's blog. She has the blog rotation order posted if you need to refer to it.

The amazing ladies of two design teams have come together to host this blog hop for you! Ann's team from Sentimental Sundays and the Kenny K Krafty Girlz have joined forces to design some amazing jaw dropping creations for you. You have seven days to hop through all the blogs and enjoy all the lovely creations from these talented people.

The hop runs from now through til Sunday April 17 at noon. There will be several opportunities to win blog candy! Four random commenters will get a chance to receive one of the three individual images or Ann's sentiment set. So be sure to leave comments all along the way for your chance at a free digi! Also, if you post the "Help for Japan" button on your blog's sidebar, you can enter into the draw for the grand prize! The grand prize will consist of the entire digital set made just for this cause as well as a gift certificate donated by Ann of Raindrop Echo Designs worth $10 to use at the Whimsy Stamps store! To enter, you must help us advertise for this cause by posting the "Help for Japan" button on your blog's side bar (just grab it from my side bar or from the top of this post) and then get your name on the Inlinkz option on Ann's post so we can be sure to find the winner.

Now on to my project:

I have used Anime DJ by Kenny K in my project today. This is such a fun stamp to colour, and as eager as I was to get to it, my 12yo dd had her copy coloured well and truly before I did!

Here are my ingredients:
Copic Markers: Skin E50, E51, E53, Tongue E93, E95, E97, Whites B000, B00, Hair RV21, RV23, RV25, RV29 & Pink Spica, Shirt YR00, YR02, YR04, YR07, Pants G24, YG63, YG67, G94, G99, Tshirt R00, R02, R05, Star Y06 & Gold Spica, Black C1, C3, C5, C7, C9, Deck Y21, Y23, Y26, R27, R29
Distress Ink: Worn Lipstick
Pattern Paper: Grace Taylor stack
Greeting: Darkroom Door, Alphabet Medley

Next you'll want to visit Vicky's blog to continue hopping. Thank you so much for stopping by, and for your support of this very worthy cause.

Watch out for the blog hop!

2011-04-10T07:13:00.001-07:00

2011-04-10T07:07:00.000-07:00

This week, our wonderful sponser is,

Crafty Emma

http://www.craftyemmasstore.co.uk/

who is offering up a £10 voucher (p&p not included),

http://www.kennykdownloads.com/

and Kenny as always, 5 super images of the winners choice.

So onto this weeks challenge, set by moi.. :) and the challenge is,,,,

SPICE IT UP.

We would love to see all the hot and spicy colours on your cards/creations this week please... really looking forward to this one :)

I have used a scrapbooking layout with Victory Kid from the Kid Nation collection. Nothing's spicier than mustard (my new fave colour), and though I haven't written down all the colours I used (well .. I did, but I can't find them right now LOL), if you really want to know just message me and I'll hunt it out for you!

So ... what are you waiting for? Get stuck in and put your entry in for this weeks' awesome prize with the Kenny K's Crafty Girlz!

It's blog feature day!

2011-03-31T15:53:00.000-07:00

Today I am the featured artist on the Joyful scraps blog. This is a project I created using the embellishment of the month pack. The saying around the frame is ...

What if ... you were proud of how far you had come, and had faith in how far you could go?

You can see the whole blog article here .... and if you leave a comment you can be in the running for a Martha Stewart prize :D

Thanks LeAnne for featuring me!!!

Kenny K Krafty Girlz Challenge #38

2011-03-27T23:26:00.000-07:00

This week's challenge is aquamarine!!!! It's also new release time and this is my fave from the 3 (though the other 3 are my faves too LOL).

Just a little reminder people, if you want the chance to win the wonderful goodies our lovely sponsers put up each week, make sure you use one of Kennys images,
and on that note... this week our fabby Sponsers are....our very own Donna, of Bearly Mine Designs, who is giving away, 2 digi sets of the winners choice.

http://bmd-creations.blogspot.com/

plus Kenny is offering 5 digi's (of the winners choice)

Here's my list of ingredients:

Kenny K Stamp: Bathing Beauty
Copic markers: BG01, BG05, BG09, E13, E15, E17, E19, R00, R02, R05, BG10, B00, G21, G24, G28, Gold spica
Text paper: photocopied text
Pattern Papers: Bearly Mine Designs
Greeting: Darkroom Door, All Occasions
White Ink: Stampin' Up
Flowers: Prima
Gems: Kaiserkraft
Ribbon from stash

Now it's time to get on over to the Kenny K's Krafty Girlz blog and see what the rest of the Design Team has in store (awesome stuff!). And if you're loving the new pinup girls or easter accessories, then get over to Kenny K store and buy up!

Hello Dollies is back on Etsy!

2011-03-14T22:58:00.000-07:00

Yes ... Hello Dollies is back in full swing on Etsy. Not only can you find me at the Handmade Craft markets held quarterly on the NSW Central Coast, you can also shop online. Etsy even has Australian dollars now!

Bringing you handmade dolls for play and display, crochet cuties like owls mushrooms and teeny tiny hearts & flowers for your own crafty endeavours. Please also check out Hello Babies ... tiny knitted booties in sizes from premmie up to 6 months in soft cotton for those tiny toes. Cards for all occasions and bookmarks as well.

Follow Hello Dollies on Facebook by clicking here.
Visit Hello Dollies on Etsy by clicking here.
Visit the Hello Dollies website by clicking here.
Find out more about Handmade Craft Markets by clicking here.

Kenny K's Krafty Girlz challenge - Week 36

2011-03-13T04:00:00.000-07:00

Not that my card is very girly or festooned in bows, so you wouldn't know that this week's challenge theme is ....

RIBBONS, LACE & BOWS - use one, two or all three!

Our sponsor this week is Michelle's Scrapbooking Store, and she's offering a $15 gift certificate to this week's winner. That's on top of the 5 digital images of your choice from Kenny K's store. Wow! Who wouldn't want to be in it to win that lot??!!

Here's a list of ingredients I used in my card:

Stamp: Kenny K, Dancer (Kid Nation collection)
Quote: Made in Photoshop using 'Tweed' font
Papers: DCWV nursery boy set
Tim Holtz Distress Ink, Wild Honey
Kaiserkraft droplets
Ric rac & white mesh from stash
Double sided tape and foam tape

Copic markers: Skin E31, E33, E35, E95 / Hair & Eyes E71, E74, E77, E47 / Lips E93, E95, E99 / Eyes & ipod screen B0000, B00 / Yellow Y21, Y23, Y26, E13 / Aqua BG10, BG13, BG15 / Shoes W1, W7, W9 / Ipod C1, C3, C5, C7, C9, Spica black, spica gold

I've had a sneeky peek at the other DT's cards and ... WOW! So much inspiration for you this week. Get on over to the shop if you want to pick up some of the new Kid Nation stamps. I love these stamps ... they're super age appropriate for kids & tweens.

Click here to go to the challenge blog.
Click here to go to the store.

This card is now for sale in my Facebook shop ... Click here to go to the shop, then click on the shop tab in the left column.

Time to get organised!

2011-03-01T19:53:00.000-08:00

During my travels around some of the amazing pages there are to 'Like' on Facebook I happened across Build a Little Biz. I have spent a good portion of today reading their blog and finding some amazingly good advice on how to turn your hobby into a little business.

So ... I decided it was time to get my act together and pull my various online presences into order! Today I built a little website using Weebly and now Hello Dollies has it's own little website. Granted ... it's nothing flash quite yet, but I'm still working on it LOL. You can click here to go to the website.

Kenny K's Krafty Girlz challenge - Week 34

2011-02-27T04:30:00.000-08:00

How much are we loving this sketch, people???!!! This week's challenge over at Kenny K's Krafty Girlz is to use this sketch with a Kenny K stamp, and you could be in with a chance to win some cool card candy from Crafty Emma's Store! Here's my take on the sketch using the Kid Nation freebie 'Holla Back Girl'.

Ingredients:
Stamp: Kenny K 'Holla Back Girl' - Kid Nation freebie
Copic markers: Skin E50, E51, E53, Cheeks & Lips YR00, YR02, Shirt & Shoes YG00, YG03, YG06, Eyes & Teeth B00, Jeans & stripes C1, C3, C5, C7, C9, 100, Hair E31, E3, E35, E37, E47
Bazzil Bling
Prima flowers
Brad
Ribbons
Greeting: Darkroom Door 'Alphabet Medley' stamps
Gems
Copic fine liner .01, Black

I cut the oval & Frame using the Cricut. Everything else is from my stash, and I am loving that I can use it to make fun cards!

Don't forget to head over to the Kenny K's Krafty Girlz blog here, and check out what the rest of the DT has for you ... it'll knock you back on your heels!!!!

New Cousin provides dilema!

2011-02-20T17:55:00.000-08:00

My cousin's daughter had a son on valentines day! Awwwww ... isn't he cute?!

However ... this leaves me with a dilema. I know my cousin's daughter is my 2nd cousin, but is her son my 3rd cousin, or my 2nd cousin once removed? And how about my kids? Are they my 2nd cousin's 2nd cousins? How are you supposed to know these things? LOL

Regardless of the dilema, we were able to visit said tiny cousin at 2 days old, and take some lovely photos. He just looks so new!

Budding artist

2011-02-14T22:47:00.000-08:00

I'm such a proud Mum! My 12yo dd has really started to develop some amazing skills at drawing anime, manga and chibi style characters. This is her latest offering (from the swimming carnival today LOL) and I suggested she call it "Running with Scissors"! Personally I think this would make a great digital stamp. Perhaps when I get the computer fixed we can get the graphics tablet plugged in and she can work on some digi stamps!

Her blog is called KateDoodlez, and you can visit her by clicking here. She would love some comments and a few followers ... it would really make her day.

Kenny K's Krafty Girlz challenge - Week 32

2011-02-13T04:15:00.000-08:00

The challenge we have for you today over at Kenny K's Krafty Girlz is this ... Circles! That's right ... let's make it round. I have used paper with circles on it. I also used my favourite round alphabet stamps (that I rediscovered in a cleanup), and stamped them on the pattern paper, punched them out with a 1" Martha Stewart punch, inked the edges, stuck 'em down and applied dimensional magic!. I also inked around the pattern paper. I'm in 2 minds about whether to leave this as another big bookmark, or turn it into a big card. My friend Sharon called dibs on my bookmark from the last challenge, so maybe I'll keep this one for myself, eh?

Ingredients:
Pattern paper - unknown (stash)
Purple ink - Dusty Concord Distress Ink
Alpha stamps - See-D's, Smudgy Keys Alphabet
Copic markers - Face E50, E51, E53 ... Hair C1, C3, C5, C7, C9 ... Eyes Boooo ... Lips R02, R05 ... Jeans B93, B95, B97 ... Top & shoes RV91, RV93, RV95 ... socks B0000, B00

So ... what's the prize this week? Not only do you get 5 digital stamps of your choice from Kenny K, but our sponsor this week is Cult Pens.

So ... get on over to the KKKG blog and see what the rest of the design team has to show you ... absolutely stunning stuff! Click here for blog. Get out your circle cutters, diecuts, buttons, eyelets, embossing plates ... and get circular with Kenny K's Krafty Girlz!

More Homespun joy!

2011-02-08T19:36:00.001-08:00

I was at Coles, and saw Homespun magazine on the magazine rack. I wondered if it might be the edition with my kokeshi-style doll project in it, and how would I know, since it was packaged. And then ... I saw it. My doll is on the cover of Homespun!!!!!!! I also get a mention in the foreward and I am just tad beside myself LOL. It's magazine 12.2, and my project is on page 22. I really hope anyone who gives this a try loves making it, and I would really love to see photos of any that you make :)

Homespun

2011-02-05T18:16:00.000-08:00

I'm really excited, because the doll I designed for Homespun magazine is in the current issue! Not only that, but they used her on the website as a promo for the magazine. Hubby would say the most exciting bit was when I got paid LOL.

I'm looking forward to going to the newsagent and pickup up Issue 12.2 of Homespun and seeing my dolly in print. It's the first time I've had a doll pattern published, and hopefully there will be more in the future.

What a week!

2011-02-04T18:08:00.000-08:00

It's been a crazy week, for many reasons.

1. DD#1 started high school (requiring a much earlier start than I'm used to).
2. DD#2 went back to school after homeschooling since November (she's unhappy already).
3. I am decluttering my entire home, one drawer, shelf or cupboard at a time.
4. I have been running errands and sewing dolls like a crazy lady!
5. I set up a fan page on Facebook for Hello Dollies, including a shop.
6. It is HOT, apparently the hottest streak ever at this time of year for Sydney.
7. Cyclone Yasi ... trying to keep up with where it hit, and if family & friends were ok.

See ... I told you it was crazy!!

The dolls in the above photo are all for sale at Hello Dollies on Facebook. If you take a look down the column on the right of this page, you'll see a like button that you can click. I'd love to get some more people following the page, and if you know anyone who might need to buy a doll as a gift for a little one, or a handmade card ... then spread the word! Much appreciated :)

One bookmark, four challenges

2011-01-30T18:47:00.000-08:00

I love making these corner bookmarks, and this is one of my favourites.

Copic - E50, E51, E52, R02 (skin), C1, C3, C5, C7 (dress), E33, E35 (eyes), R20, R22, R27 (wings), YG00, YG03, YG06 (hair) ... clear spica pen for sparkle.

The stamp is 'Oleander', from CC Designs' Sweet November range.

Letters are Stampin' Up Alphabitties, puched with tiny square SU punch.

Also used Bazzil cardstock and some Basic Grey scraps.

I am entering this in the following challenges:

Mad for Markers challenges us to do crazy hair ... it don't get much crazier than lime!
PaperPlay Challenges want us to 'layer it up' ... and i did use 3 layers here!
By the Cute and Girly challenge us to 'bling it on' ... and I have used clear copic to bling up her wings. I hope it shows!
Fab N Funky Challenges want us to 'delight in your digi', and this is a digital stamp!

Kenny K's Krafty Girlz challenge - Week 30

2011-01-30T04:00:00.000-08:00

NEW GLAM GANG RELEASE!!!

Yes, I'm shouting! These girls are unbelievably fun to colour and incredibly cool for those girl cards. Our theme this week is 'My Favourite Things' ... and this covers a few of my favourite things:
Reading
My BFF who is blonde & likes pink
Being one of Kenny K's Krafty Girlz!

So ... ingredients!

Stamp - 'Soho' by Kenny K, Glam Girls collection
Cardstock - black, white, X-Press It
Pattern paper - SEI and something with rulers (not sure what brand)
Sewing machine
Dimensional magic (title & boots)
Title cut using Sizzix - Girls Are Weird font
Copic makers - Hair Y11, Y21, Y23, E13 ... Skin E50, E51, E53 ... Eyes B0000, B63, B66 ... Belt C1, C3, C5, C7 ... Dress/boots/lips RV21, RV23, RV25, RV29
Pink spica and white gel pen

Note ... I cut the title letters from X-press It card and coloured it using the RV colours, added white gel pen highlights then coverd it with dimensional magic.

Do yourselves a favour ... get on over to the Kenny K's Krafty Girlz blog and check out what the rest of the DT have in store for you. Then click over the the shop and treat yourself to a new Glam Gang girl (or 2 ... or 3) and get colouring :D

Sponsor this week is Whimsy Stamps, with a prize of one of the awesome new Kenny K rubber stamps! This is in addition to Kenny K offering a prize of 5 digital stamps of the winner's choice!

Scissors Paper Ink- classes

2011-01-25T15:25:00.000-08:00

I am teaching a copic / guilt free scrapping class on Saturday 12th March from 12:45-2:30pm at the Kincumber Youth Centre, NSW Central Coast.

Copic colourers and guilt-free scrappers ... I've got you covered! We're looking at ways to make the most of your digital stamps (and the same principles apply to the guilt-free scrappers who own some lovely rubber stamps). I'll also show you how to make corner bookmarks and gift-card holders from scraps and leftovers, and utilise your cricut machine, stamps or embellishment collections! Everyone will receive the instructions for the projects and tips on getting the most from your stamps.

You can click here to go to the Scissors Paper Ink blog and book your place in this class.

Cards for sale

2011-01-23T19:19:00.000-08:00

It's no secret that I make a lot of cards, and even after giving away more than 50 cards as Christmas gifts, I still have a lot left! So ... if you head over to my fan page on Facebook and click on the 'Shop' tab, you can purchase all of the handmade cards that are pictured here! Even better, if you click 'Like' on my page, you received a discount on your card purchases!

You can click on any of the cards above to be taken to the fan page. Every card is blank inside and comes with a plain white envelope, sealed in a clear bag.

Click here to go to the fan page

Kenny K's Krafty Girlz challenge - Week 29

2011-01-23T04:17:00.000-08:00

This week's challenge is to use this amazing sketch by Bev! This is one of the most versatile sketches I've ever used for a card, and I can't wait to see how everyone interprets it!

Sponsor for this challenge is Bizzy Bec's, prize is a $25 Gift Certificate to her store in addition to Kenny offering 5 Digi Images of the winner's choice.

So ... get on over to the Kenny K download store to pick up a groovy new stamp, or dig out one you haven't used in a while (or at all!). Get cracking with a card and come play with us over at Kenny K's Krafty Girlz! The Design Team have some amazing cards to inspire you :D

And since I had so much fun making this card, I am also entering it in two other challenges this week!

Copic Creations have challenged us with "What's new?" for me it is this cool web-ribbon stuff. I love it!
Mad for Markers have challenged us with "I love Australia", red white & blue. Well ... you can see that I have used (among other things) red (guitar) white (sneakers & greeting) and blue (outfit and on pattern paper).
Cute Card Thursday have challenged us to use a 1-2-3 recipe, and I have 1 strip of mesh, 2 buttons and 3 gems!
A Spoon Full of Sugar has challenged us to use blue & green - check!

NOTE: This card is for sale in my Facebook shop ... click here.

Desk cleaning update!

2011-01-16T19:00:00.000-08:00

So ... yesterday I shared some photos of my awfully messy desk. Today hubby took the girls bowling, so I got stuck into the desk again! I tackled the rest of the shelves and the desktop. I found my scanner under all that rubbish! I have a couple of things to go on ebay, lots gone in the trash, and a few things posted on Freeycycle. There was a mountain of post-its, business cards and old bits of paper behind my computer screen ... and there's nothing there but leads now! Sure ... it's not finished yet, but at least it's tidier! The drawers are on notice!

I'm a girl on a mission!

2011-01-16T01:32:00.000-08:00

This year I am totally about get my house decluttered and sparkling! I therefore share with you the abomination that is my desk (and this is only one section!) Hubby took the girls out for a couple of hours and I thought to myself "I'll just tidy up my desk". Um ... yeah. In 2 hours this is all I got done. This section isn't even finished yet, but I sure did get rid of a lot of stuff, and found that 3 of those photo boxes were EMPTY!

How am I going to declutter this house? Simple ... I use the FlyLady system. Even better, I am a member of her fan page on Facebook, and it's the best support group ever, and yesterday I cleaned house whilst playing Fly Bingo with ladies all over the world! I worked over my kitchen to within an inch of it's life, and when I was done I slept really, really well.

Are you looking to have less 'stuff' messing up the background of your home snapshots? Then get yourself a copy of 'Sink Reflections' by Marla Cilley and join the revolution!

Guest teaching - copic markers

2011-01-10T16:08:00.000-08:00

I am very happy to announce my guest teaching gig coming up soon. I will be teaching this copic marker class 'one stamp three ways' at Di's Scrapbooking on Friday 21st January. It's a 4 hour class, 10am-2pm, and costs $45 all inclusive (byo lunch, though). We are covering 4-colour shading, monochromatic black & white, and paper piecing on the day. Give Di a call to book your place, but be quick ... only a couple of spots left!

Di's scrapbooking is at The Entrance ... click here to go to their website.

My first Kenny K's Krafty Girlz post!

2011-01-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my first post as a Kenny K Krafty Girl! The challenge this week is 'Love You'. There's no time like the present to get those valentine cards made, and this month's release of the new Love collection means there's no excuses for putting it off!

I have used the new Heart Teddy Bear for my card, and my other ingredients include:

Copic markers: R20, R22, R27, R29, E31, E33, E35, E37
White gel pen
Design paper: Francheville
Red ink: Stampin' Up
Heart, alphabet stamps, ric rac: unknown source, from my stash

The prize for this week's challenge is a selection of swiss dot ribbons from our sponsor Crafty Ribbons. So come on over to the Krafty Girlz blog and check it out ... then hit the shop and pick up some Kenny K stamps to make your valentine a fun or funky card.

My last challenge with The Town Scrapper

2011-01-07T00:00:00.000-08:00

Here we are folks ... my last post as a DT member for The Town Scrapper. Fittingly our challenge this week is 'favourite Victoria Case stamp' ... and if you've seen my other Friday cards, you'll know that Made With Love Lola is definately my favourite!!!

I dressed her up here with All My Memories pattern paper (I've really gotten a lot of mileage from this one sheet of design paper!), and the alphabet stamps are Darkroom Door. I used copic markers to colour Lola, and although I can't find my list, I know I used R0's and C's for most of her.

A great big thank you goes out to all my fellow Design Team members at The Town Scrapper. I have been inspired by your talent, and blown away by your kindness. This was my first stamping design team, and I learned a lot :)

Aussie Cards for Sale

2011-01-06T03:49:00.000-08:00

I make a lot of cards. Some of you might have guessed that by now LOL. And even giving away a bunch of them for Christmas gifts, I still have a lot just hanging around, not doing anything. So I am submitting these cards to a great new website called Aussie Cards for Sale. Wow! There is some serious card making talent on this site, and if you're looking for a quality handmade card created by Australian artists, then this is a must-see website for you! Thanks for checking out my cards Alicia :)

Click here to go to the Aussie Cards for Sale website!

Final class at Erina Scrapbook Store

2011-01-05T21:35:00.000-08:00

This Saturday I will be teaching my final class at Erina Scrapbook Store. I am sad that the doors are closing next month, but really excited for Odette as she faces her new career as a mother! It's not too late to book if you contact the store (click here for link to the website), and the copic class is watercolour effects. Bring all your copic markers with you, in particular your 0 (and a 0 reinker if you have one). I have have a bunch of stamps for you to use on the day :)

I coloured this image using the watercolour effect that I'll be teaching you. This is a Kenny K digital stamp (click here to go to Kenny's store) called Tennis, in the All Starz collection. Pattern paper is from the huge Diecuts With A View pad I bought at Big W ages ago, and I've also used a paper doily (from the dollar shop) and coloured it with my copics. Oh, and clear Spica pen, though it's hard to see in the photo.

So ... who's coming to my last class????

More portraits!

2010-12-27T23:09:00.001-08:00

Portrait #2
Portrait #3

This portrait drawing is rather addictive, now that I am finally drawing faces that I like!!! I resigned myself (many years ago) to not being able to draw. Even my husband used the words 'very very good' for portrait #2, and that is extremely high praise from an exceptional pencil artist!!!! I really cannot wait to get stuck into these with some colour, and I hope I can find time to bring out the paints this week.

First time for everything

2010-12-27T03:40:00.001-08:00

I've been a great admirer of Willowing for some time now. I really enjoy her You Tube videos, and I've learned a lot from her fast motion paintings. So imagine my delight when my mother bought me the Fabulous Faces & Portraits course on dvd for Christmas!!!! I started my first lesson today, and this is the result. It's the first time I've ever attempted to draw a face, properly, with proportion and shading and everything, and I'm pretty pleased with the results. Yes ... I know I have a long way to go, but having made quite a good start I'm really looking forward to practicing and learning more. Thanks Mum, and thanks Tam!

She's kidding ... right?

2010-12-16T22:52:00.001-08:00

I am not a specialist. Let's get that clear straight up. I have never chosen one thing and stuck with it. I get bored easily and my mind strays, I get new ideas and just have to try them! During a conversation with some friends recently I kind of freaked out her 15yo dd. She couldn't believe that I do as many things as I do. As they drove off I called out "I also type 110 words per minute!" LOL ... and she turned to her mother and said ... "she's kidding, right???!!!"

No ... I am not kidding, and at one point I wondered where all these crazy endeavours would take me. Well ... to some interesting places. I got to travel around Australia visiting Spotlight stores, I've had projects published by magazines, I've co-written a pattern book and I design for 2 amazing Australian companies. So ... for your information / amusement / bemusement ... I present some of the stuff I do.

* Photography (including Santa portraits)
* Digital art (including fairy portraits)
* Photo restoration
* Crochet
* Cross-stitch (including my orginal design kits 'Fifi & Frankie')
* Cloth dolls
* Folk art / decorative painting (acrylics)
* Scrapbooking
* Stamping
* Cardmaking
* Copic certified designer (colouring in for grown-ups)
* Design sewing patterns for Australian Girl dolls
* Design for Brandcorp Pty Ltd, brands including Martha Stewart, Francheville, Milford Threads and Semco

... but my main passion is definately teaching! So, I'm looking forward to some new teaching experiences in 2011. Bring it on!!! Enjoy the pics :D

I'm a Kenny K Krafty Girl!!!!

2010-12-07T14:40:00.000-08:00

I'm excited, honoured and blown away all at once ... because I have been chosen to join the Kenny K Krafty Girlz Design Team in 2011 *WOOO HOOOO*. I have been a huge fan of Kenny's work since discovering copic markers and digital stamps earlier this year. I'm really looking forward to working with the new and existing DT members, as well as Kenny and the lovely Donna.

Please do pop over to the challenge blog and join in. There's a lot of inspiration to be found there. And if you've not used digital stamps before, you're missing out on an affordable way to build a highly versatile stamp collection!!! So go check out the shop here.

One Card - Six Challenges!

2010-12-05T22:27:00.000-08:00

This is a first for me. As I was putting this card together I realised it might meet more than one challenge this week. Um ... yeah!! And then some!!! LOL

So ... for the challenge record ...

Kenny K's Krafty Girlz are challenging us to be monochromatic - check!
Paper Play Challenges are challenging us to be monochromatic too - check!
Friday Sketchers challenged us to use this sketch - check!
Delicious Doodles challenged us to use a digi stamp - check!
Cute Card Thursday challenged us to colour with The Blues - check!
Copic Creations challenged us to identify our light source (front on) - check!

Card ingredients!
Stamp - 'Troublemaker' by Kenny K
Greeting stamp - All Occassions by Darkroom Door
Copic markers - skin E50, E51, E53, R22, Hoodie, eyes & shoes B60, B63, B66, Jeans B93, B95, B97 & 0 with denim for texture, Icecream B00, B02, B05, hair & ice cream cone E31, E33, E35, E37
Distress Inks (on circle) Tumbled Glass & Vintage Photo
Cuttlebug embossing die: Birds & Swirls
Prima Flowers
Kaisercraft gems
Ribbon from stash

Kenny K's Krash Kittenz

2010-11-28T03:51:00.000-08:00

I was checking out Donna's Bearly Mine Crafts blog, and saw a gorgeous card she's made with one of the new Krash Kittenz stamps. I had to share it here ... isn't it awesome!

Then I saw the name of the stamp ... Mae Western ... and I thought to myself "that's the name I entered for that stamp in the competition". Reading on I saw that Kenny K has actually chosen the name I suggested for this sassy lady, and I am over the moon!!! It's the first time I've won anything in the blogging world, and it couldn't have come at a better time (it's been a rough week).

So ... soon I will have this beauty to colour myself, and I hope I can do as good a job as Donna has. Go check out the other Krash Kittenz and the rest of the gang at Kenny K's online shop. The Krafty Girlz have a pink challenge this week, and I'm hoping to get a card together in a couple of days to enter that one. I love pink :D

The Town Scrapper Friday Challenge

2010-11-26T00:01:00.000-08:00

It's Challenge time again at The Town Scrapper!!! I know, I know ... I've used the Victoria Case 'Made with Love Lola' stamp again LOL. I can't help it. I really like colouring this one!

So ... our challenge today is a colour challenge. We are using this awesome Christmas wrapping paper as our palette of inspiration! I chose the pinks and greens as my main colours, and then added touches of the blue and black.

Card ingredients:
Stamp: Victoria Case, Made with Love Lola
Greeting stamp: Darkroom Door, All Occasions
Swirl stamp: Heidi Grace
Inkpad: Memento Ink, Tuxedo Black
Pink ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink, Worn Lipstick
Copic Markers: E50, E51, E53 (skin), G21, G24, G28 (eyes), RV000, RV02, RV04 (dress, socks, hearts), R27, R29 (strawberry), B00, B02 (hat, socks, plate), E43 (cake), YG00, YG03, YG06 (apron & shoes), C1, C3, C5, C7 (hair)
Prima Flowers
Brad
White embossing powder
Bazzil Bling cardstock

The Town Scrapper Monday Showcase

2010-11-24T15:07:00.000-08:00

OK ... I'm a tad late posting this (I thought I'd already done it *oops*). This is my Monday Showcase card for The Town Scrapper. On Mondays we show off cards made using some of the great stamping lines that Phebe carries in her store. And a heads up ... December is sale time, with 25% off stamps and 30-60% off everything at The Town Scrapper!!!

Get on over to the blog and see what the rest of the design team has for you, and don't forget to enter the brads & eyelet challenge ... just one day left so get in there!

Card ingredients:
Stamp: CC Designs, Coffee Kiki La Rue
Ink: Memento Ink, Tuxedo Black
Copic markers: E50, E51, E53 (skin), E71, E74, E77 (hair), R20 (cheeks), YR00, YR02, YR04 (flowers), Y02 (flower centres), YG00, YG03, YG06 (robe & slippers), B93, B95, B97 (mug)
Greeting: Stampin' Up
Scallop border punch, SU
Scallop circle punch, SU
Dimensional Magic
Bazzil Bling cardstock
Pattern Paper: My Minds Eye

For my ESS girls!

2010-11-23T17:47:00.000-08:00

I promised to post the class samples using the lovely Tiddly Inks stamp that we did this month, so here's the start of it.

This bookmark uses the following copic colours:

Skin: E50, E51, E53
Hair: Y11, Y21, Y23, E13
Books: C1, C34, C5, R00,m R02, R05
Dress/bow/socks: YG00, YG03, YG06, G07

She is highlighted with a white gel ink pen
Cardstock is Bazzil bling
Pattern paper is All My Memories
Greeting stamped using copic markers with Darkroom Door alphabet stamps
Ribbon: Stampin' Up
Digital stamp from TiddlyInks.com

Watch for the diary and card soon!

One Card - Five Challenges!

2010-11-17T21:55:00.000-08:00

I think I've only ever managed to do this once before ... this card meets FIVE challenges!!!

First, here are my ingredients:
Stamp: Rock Chick by Kenny K
Greeting Stamp: All Occasions by Darkroom Door
Ink: Frayed Burlap Distress Ink by Tim Holtz/Ranger
At You Spica: Gold and Clear
Copic Markers: shading on paper piecing E31, E33, E35, Skin E50, E51, E53, Hair C1, C3, C5, C7, Guitar G21, G24, G28, Eyes G99, G00, B00
Other: White gel pen, Prima flowers, brads

Now ... here are the challenges, and make sure you go check out the DT entries, because they were all so inspiring!

Kenny K's Krafty Girls challenged us to use spots & sparkle - check!
Friday Sketchers challenged us to a super simple, but cool sketch - check!
Colour Create challenged us to use black/mint green/gold/cream - check!
Spoon Full of Sugar challenged us to use distressing - check!
Copic Creations challenged us to shade on paper piecing - check!

This was fun :D

Kenny K DT Call!!!!

2010-11-17T17:58:00.000-08:00

OMG, OMG, OMG ... Kenny K is doing another DT call!!!! These are some of my fave stamps to colour, and I'm totally psyched at another chance to apply for the DT!!!

The toughest thing is trying to pick 2 cards that I think are my best. Let me have a think about it while you read the details about the DT call that I nabbed from Donna's blog:

If you'd like to enter to be a Kenny K Krafty Girl and work with some of the most amazing digi images, please enter your name below with Inlinkz and write a post on your blog about the DT call showing us what you consider to be at least 2 of your best cards.

We're looking for people with a well maintained blog where you post regularly and will actively promote Kenny's digi images by entering challenges as well as participating in our weekly challenge. You will be on a team that does a challenge every other week

you will be expected to comment on entrants cards for the challenge you are participating in

What you will receive in return is access to Kenny's previous digi's and any new releases that come out.

This DT call will end on November 30th.
All succesful applicants will be contacted within the first week of December...good luck

Alright ... I think I've decided. Here are my fave 2 stamps, and hopefully my cards are good enough to take me to the KKDT!!! NO ... I had to add in one more, 'cause I really like the blokey stamps as well *hee hee*.

Woo Hoo! Krash Kittenz are nearly here!

2010-11-17T17:27:00.000-08:00

OK ... so you know how much I looooooove Kenny K digital stamps, right? Well, the new Krash Kittenz are nearly here! One slight exciting dilema ... they need names! Why is this exciting? Because Kenny is asking us to name them!!!!

So ... here are some of my name suggestions :D

A Penelope Cruise'n
B Miss Understood
C Racing Stripes Rikki
D Lana Lariat
E Hot Rod Hannah
F Va Va Vrooooom
G Mae Western
H Sassy Sara
I Barb Wire (or Barbi Wire)
J 38 Cali
K Wild Wild Wendy
L Wandering Gypsy

Go check out Kenny's other cool stamps, including the new Dude Stuff (because it's hard to find stuff for guys, right!) by clicking here.

Stamp Storage

2010-11-17T14:47:00.000-08:00

This is how I have stored my stamps for the past 5 years. If they are not SU (sitting nicely in their boxes on a shelf), then they are in here ... this little storage cart I bought at Coles for $10 and put togther myself!

In the top drawer are inkpads.
In the second drawer are single block stamps.
In the third drawer (my favourite!) are my cling mounted stamps & blocks.
In the fourth drawer are alphabet stamps.
In the fifth drawer are random acrylic and unmounted rubber stamps.

It's not a perfect system, but I've had it in place so long that I know where everything is.

Lime Tart is having a special giveaway ... and now that I've seen it, I think I would much rather have my cling mounted stamps in one of these, at my fingertips! I'd clear space on my desk for it ... truly I would!!!

New Australian Girl pattern!

2010-11-09T19:55:00.000-08:00

I've been working on this one for a while now, and the finishing touches were done today!!! If you have an Australian Girl doll in your house, like to sew and you're a fan of Masterchef or Iron Chef ... then you might want to nab one of these patterns asap so that you can make up a few chef type items for your doll for Christmas! They don't take much fabric and you can find everything you need at your local Spotlight store! The aprons are a super quick project, perfect for beginner sewers!

How do you get a copy ... keep watching the Australian Girl online store for the official launch. Click here to go to the store, and check out the gorgeous kimono pattern while you're there :)

The Town Scrapper Monday Showcase

2010-11-06T06:56:00.000-07:00

It's Monday Showcase time at The Town Scrapper!!!! I had a little peek at what the other DT girls have created before I posted mine, and there's a couple of cool ideas I might borrow myself. Get on over to the blog and see for yourself :)

Ingredients
Stamp: Magnolia, Tilda
Greeting stamp: Darkroom Door, All Occasions
Pattern paper: K&Co, Brianna
Copic Markers: E50, E51, E53, R02 (skin), E13, E15, E17, E19 (hair), BV00, BV02, BV04, BV08 (dress), G21, G24, G28 (skirt/socks), C1, C3, C5, C7 (shoes), 0 for blending
Inkpads: Memento, Tuxedo Black and Distress Ink, Vintage Photo
Diecuts from my local dollar shop, inked with Vintage Photo distress ink to tone them down.

Owl be back

2010-10-31T22:20:00.000-07:00

Get it?!! LOL

OK ... here are a few little crochet owls for a special post. I have 5 ready for the Handmade Craft Market at Erina High school on 21st November ... and a red & green one under construction. If you're loving these little owls I am happy to make one for you. These are all made from Milford crochet cotton, which is 3ply, so soft and the most vibrant & wonderful colours! Awake on one side and asleep on the other

If you're thinking "I'd love to make one of them myself", then you're in luck! The pattern for these little owls features in the new Milford Threads crochet pattern book, and you will find it in your local Spotlight store in the new year (hopefully!). I co-wrote it with my Mum, and her patterns include bootees, hats, green bag, table runner and other such nifty items. Our pic is on the back ... it's very exciting!

Questions about my crochet owls? Leave a comment or email me at dlewis71@aapt.net.au for more info :)

I work and sort by colour!

2010-10-31T21:27:00.000-07:00

It used to be that all my brads were in one box, my eyelets in another box, ribbon in another box, fibres in a folder, tags in an envelope ... and when I tried to scrapbook I was constantly dragging out tonnes of stuff and hunting for the right embellishments.

Then one day it occurs to me that I work by colour, and therefore wouldn't it make more sense if my embellishments were sorted by colour? YES! So ... down to The Reject Shop to buy some 5L tubs for $2 each. I made the labels from my digital scrapbooking kits, and now I am all set! Now when I'm working on a layout or card I choose my cololur scheme ...let's say pink & purple. I choose papers then get out the pink & purple boxes to find the embellishments to match. No more hunting!!!

It worked so well that I helped my friend Linda make over her scrapbooking supplies using the same storage ideas. Doesn't Linda's desk look better?! Inside the tubs things are separated using embellishment boxes and snaplock bags. Less time searching means more time playing!

The Town Scrapper Friday Challenge

2010-10-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

"Button, Button ... who's got the button?" said Willy Wonka. I know who's got buttons ... we do!!! Over at The Town Scrapper come and enter our challenge by using a button or two (or ten!) on your creation. I have used an old levi strauss button as the centre of my flower, but there are so many other ways you can use buttons!

Ingredients include:
Stamp: Victoria Case, Keeping the Peace Evan
Greeting stamp: Darkroom Door, All Occassions
Pattern paper: SEI (gosh it's old!)
Bazzil Cardstock
Everything else is from my stash, and isn't it fun using up these goodies I've been collecting over the years!

What are you waiting for? Crack open your button jar and get creating :D

Scrumptious blog candy from Tiddly Inks

2010-10-28T23:28:00.000-07:00

This blog candy has a bit of everything:

3 sets of acrylic stamps, stacks of paper, cardboard, bits and pieces of goodies, mirrors and magnets, some cardstock and envelopes, a few finished cards and most important a CD of Tiddly Inks images worth $50....you pick the ones you want up to $50. :) Wahooooo!!!!

Read more: http://tiddlyinks.blogspot.com/#ixzz13j7fir5D

I love Tiddly Inks ... they surely must be my favourite digital stamps!

For my sister + 3 challenges

2010-10-26T18:32:00.000-07:00

I am confident on posting this before my sister sees it ... because she has a toddler and a preschooler and never looks here! LOL

I made this mega bookmark for my sister last night in lieu of a birthday card. I mean ... cards are nice, but they don't do anything. She's a big reader, so I thought I'd make a giant bookmark for the huge novels she reads instead!

Stamp is Lillith, a Lil Lolita from Tickled Pink Stamps
Copic markers: E50, E51, E53, C1, C3, C5, C7, W1, W3, W5, W7, R20, R22, R27, R29, G94, G99, B00, BV00, BV02, BV04, BV08, 0
Clear spica pen (earrings, buttons, roses)
Letter stamps: Darkroom Door, Alphabet Medley
Tim Holtz Distress Ink, Dusty Concord

* I printed my digital stamp onto Xpress It cardstock (the absolute best card for copic markers!).
* I used the colourless blender (0) to put down the colour for the eyeshadow, the eyes and help mute down the W1 & W3 for the white areas on her dress & sash. I'm really glad I did, because I am entering this bookmark in the Copic Creations blog challenge here.
* I used my Sizzix to cut squares for the letters, then trimmed them down, so I am entering this in the Spoon Full of Sugar challenge.
* I learned the eyeshadow technique from a great video on Color Me Copic by Kelly Booth, and this bookmark fits the current challenge (I think).

The Town Scrapper Monday Showcase

2010-10-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

I'm saying hello, but this sweet little Mo Manning design from Stampavie is saying "Bye Bye". Isn't she just the cutest stamp ever? I had her coloured for ages before finally getting around to pairing her with this KI Memories paper and getting stuck into it with the sewing machine.

Head on over to The Town Scrapper blog and see what the rest of the Design Team have for you to drool over. This is just one of the many stamp lines that Phebe carries at The Town Scrapper, so if you're in the mood to shop & stamp ... you know where to go!

Here's what I used on this card:
Stamp: Stampavie Mo Manning's "Bye Bye"
Greeting: Darkroom Door, All Occassions
Pattern paper: KI Memories
Bazzil Cardstock
Sewing machine thread
Red ink: SU
Foam Tape: Martha Stewart

One bookmark, two challenges

2010-10-17T22:25:00.000-07:00

Last week I coloured up this image in preparation for a class I am teaching next month. I finally got around to turning it into an actual item a couple of days ago, and keep forgetting to edit photos. Since today is a Photoshop day, here it is, and I am thrilled that it suits 2 great blog challenges!

Mad for Markers have challenged us to make anything but a card - check!
Color Me Copic have challenged us to colour folds in clothing - check!

Here are my ingredients:
Stamp: Tiddlyinks digital stamp
Copic markers: Skin E50, E51, E53, E04, Hair Y11, Y21, Y23, E13, Books C1, C3, C5, R00, R02, R05, Clothing YG00, YG03, YG06, G07
Pattern paper: My Minds Eye
Ribbon: Stampin' Up
Cardstock: Bazzil bling
Alphabet stamps: Darkroom Door, All Occassions
Stamping Paper: Xpress It

The Town Scrapper Friday Challenge

2010-10-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

Welcome to this week's challenge from The Town Scrapper! Today I have created a sketch for everyone to use. This is one of my go-to layouts when making cards. Lots of space to show off lovely pattern paper and your new favourite stamp as well as a greeting and embellishments ... what more could a girl want??!!

I would really love to see what everyone comes up with using this sketch. Don't forget that you can turn it on it's side or flip it any which way ... and who says everything has to be square? Not me! Head on over to The Town Scrapper blog and see how the rest of the Design Team has interpreted this sketch ... lots of inspiration! Make a card using the sketch and enter it to be in the running for a lovely prize from Phebe's shop.

Ingredients:
Stamp: Victoria Case, Big Dreams Evan
Greeting Stamp: Darkroom Door, All Occassions
Paper, ribbon, flowers, brad & button from my stash (which is way too big!)
Copic markers including YG's, B's and my fave red combo R20, R22 & R27.
Tim Holtz Distress Ink, Vintage Photo

Copic Certification

2010-10-13T19:45:00.000-07:00

I am really excited, because I have finally decided to do Copic Certification!!! I was introduced to copic markers by the awesome Mandi-Lee Klinger at SIA in May this year, and I'm afraid there is no cure for my addiction. I was also really lucky to meet Marianne Walker and Lori Craig at SIA too (see ... there we all are in the photo!).

The other reason to be excited is because the course will be in my old stomping ground of Penrith, and I will get to visit some of my fabulous friends, whom I miss LOTS.

So ... watch out world ... I'm all copic'd up and ready to teach anyone who will listen!!!

Ahoy there me hearties!

2010-10-08T01:16:00.000-07:00

I taught my last pirate copic class last night at Erina Scrapbook Store, and I'm really excited about the 3 classes I have lined up for November. We will be re-running the copic introduction class, then concentrating on uses for the colourless blender, then feathering technique and accenting pleats & folds in clothing. It's going to be great!

In the meantime, I did promise the girls last night that I would show the alternative pirates I coloured for class. Here the red & lime Kraftin Kimmie Billy Blythe and Strawberry Pirate stamps, coloured with my new favourite colour scheme! The colours are as listed under the photo. Enjoy!

The Town Scrapper Friday Challenge

2010-10-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween everyone!!! Here in Australia, Halloween really isn't a big thing, though I admit we do live in the local 'trick or treat' belt LOL. Our girl guides have a big halloween disco, and it's such fun dressing up! I kept that in mind when making my project today, and as I have 2 princesses of my own as well as 2 lovely little princess nieces (and a dinosaur nephew, but that's another story), I decided to use this lovely Victoria Case stamp for my project. I decided to use turquoise & black to colour with, and I love this so much that it is on my desk, making me smile.

So ... here are the ingredients!
Stamp - Victoria Case, Magical Sophie
Sentiment - computer printed, Beths Cute Hallmark font
Glitter paper - DCWV baby boy stack (I love stacks!)
Black cardstock
Black grosgrain ribbon
Copic markers (can't remember the exact colours, but it does include BG10 & BG15 for the dress!)
Sewing machine

Do go check out what the rest of the Design Team have in store for you in our Halloween challenge today! Don't forget to join in by entering your own halloween entry to win a lovely stamp from The Town Scrapper. Click here to go to the blog!

New kids on the block

2010-09-25T20:27:00.000-07:00

No ... not the 80's boy band, but some funky new crochet patterns. There has been nothing in the crochet pattern market for emo, gothic or simply funky people. Well ... now there is! Check out Quirky Crochet by Melissina on Etsy. She has 3 new patterns available, and given that we're talking about my uber-talented sister, I know there's more to come! Patterns are PDF, so no shipping, and they have step by step colour photos and very clear instructions in USA standard crochet terminology.

You can check out Cordelia here and Cardamon here. There's also a super-easy rainbow serpent for the reptile lovers out there.

Now, I know I'm probably a bit biased, but seriously ... aren't these cool???!!!

One card - Two challenges (again!)

2010-09-20T19:58:00.000-07:00

I coloured up this Kraftin Kimmie 'Charlotte' stamp a few weeks ago, and decided she was perfect for two lovely challenges today.

Tickled Pink Stamp monthly challenge gave us a sketch - check!
A Spoon Full of Sugar challenged us to use fall colours - check!

Ingredients!
Stamp - Kraftin Kimmie, Charlotte
Greeting - Darkroom Door, All Occassions
Inks - black, Memento ... Red, SU
Papers - from my stash
Cuttlebug embossing die - swirls
Ribbon - Strano Designs
Copic markers: E50, E51, E53, YR00, YR02, YR04, R20, R22, R27, C1, C3, C5, C5, E00, E02, E04, B00, B02, B04

The Town Scrapper Monday Showcase

2010-09-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

Good morning! It's Monday showcase over at The Town Scrapper, and you should see what the design team has on display on the blog today!

This card features a gorgeous CC Designs stamp. I keep thinking of different colour schemes for her, and particularly like the versatility of this stamp.

Here's a list of what's what:
Stamp: CC Designs, Umbrella Emma
Greeting stamp: Darkroom Door, All Occassions
Pattern paper: Doodlebug
Bazzil Cardstock
Background Stamp: SU, Canvas
Red Ink: SU
Copic markers: E50, E51, E53, E02, E31, E33, E35, E71, E74, E77, R20, R22, R27, B00, B02, B05, Y00, Y02, gold spica
Everything else from my stash

One card - Two challenges (again!)

2010-09-19T00:16:00.000-07:00

EDITED to include a third challenge!!! Over at Stamp Something we've been challenged to use a digital stamp ... check! This is the digital version of Oleander from CC Designs Sweet November collection. As I posted this on Saturday while the challenge was current, surely this counts :D

It didn't start out as a lazy Sunday (those darn Girl Guides and their fun activities!), but I did manage to knock over all the boring stuff before lunch. That left me with the afternoon to myself and I made a few challenge cards. This is the first, and I might get around to posting more tonight.

The All That Scraps Wednesday Challenge blog challenged us to use a sketch - check!
The Color Me Copic blog challenged us to use a straight hair copic technique- check!

Do go & and check out the other entries and Design Team eye candy on those blogs ... just ... wow!!

On this card I used black card base with lime shimmery bazzil.
Pattern paper: DCWV baby boy stack + scraps
Greeting: Darkroom Door, All Occassions
Stamp: CC Designs Sweet November, Oleander
Copic markers: W-1, W-3, W-5, W-7, E50, E51, E53, YR02, BV00, BV02, BV04, BV08, YG00, YG03, YG06, C-1, C-3, C-5, C-7
Purple Ink: SU, Elegant Eggplant
oh ... and I used my sewing machine!

One card - Two challenges!

2010-09-18T05:57:00.000-07:00

Just got my hands on this gorgeous Kraftin Kimmie stamp called Princess Petunia. I really enjoyed the challenge of working on the folds of her clothes with my copics on this stamp. I am really excited to enter this in two challenges today.

Friday Sketchers have challenged us to use this sketch - check!
Copic Creations have challenged us to use shading on our work - check!

All That Scraps challenge

2010-09-13T21:01:00.000-07:00

I was really excited to pick up this new CC Designs Sweet November digital stamp from All That Scraps this week. Then I found the challenge blog, and the coolest tutorial on how to make a corner bookmark! I love books ... I love bookmarks ... I love stamping ... it's a marriage made in heaven!!! Here's one I whipped up today (so quick and easy!).

Stamp: Sweet November, Oleander
Cardstock: Bazzil
Pattern Paper: Basic Grey
Greeting: SU, Alphabits (& 1/4" square punch is SU)
Copic markers: Skin (E50, E51, E53), Black (C-1, C-3, C-5, C-7), Red (R20, R22, R27, R29), Green (YG00, YG03, YG06), Eyes (E43, E35, E47)
Glittery wings: Spica At You pen, Clear

Tiddly Inks challenge

2010-09-13T03:09:00.000-07:00

**THIS IS MY SECOND POST FOR TODAY** Scroll down to see the Monday Showcase post for The Town Scrapper

I recently discovered the wonder that is Tiddly Inks, and fell in love with the cute & quirky digital stamps. This is one from the gothic cute range called 'Pinky'. The current challenge is to create a birthday card, so here it is! I have used copic markers to colour the image and the background is leftover pieces of bazzil and KI Memories paper. The greeting is a Darkroom Door stamp from the All Occassions set.

The Town Scrapper Monday Showcase

2010-09-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

It's Monday Showcase at The Town Scrapper today! This is a card I made using a sweet CC Designs stamp called Nurse Nora. I've had a bizarre obsession with lime green lately, and I really enjoyed digging into my scrap folders and using up some (very) old design paper. I alsu used my Cuttlebug embossing die with numbers all over it, as well as some mini ricrac and Kaisercraft droplets. The sentiment was printed on my home computer. Nurse Nora is coloured with copic markers, though the colours escape me at the moment. If you really want to know them, just ask :)

I'm not the only one who has been busy. Go check out the other showcase cards that The Town Scrapper DT have put together to show you. These stamps are available at Phebe's store, so go check it out!

The Town Scrapper Friday Challenge

2010-09-09T23:01:00.000-07:00

We're back!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay :D Summer haitus is over (which was weird for me in one of the coldest winters we've had here in Australia in years LOL).

Anyway ... we have a recipe challenge for you today. Check it out ... the entire design team over at The Town Scrapper have been cooking up a storm.

The recipe uses 2 pattern papers, 2 ribbons, 1 cardstock color, 3 embellishments, 1 stamped image. It's easier than it sounds, so why not give it a go! You can enter your card at The Town Scrapper for the chance to win this Made with Love Loa stamp as the prize!

My card is using Victoria Case stamp called Made with Love Lola. The greeting is Stampin' Up, and everything else came from my rather large stash of goodies. Lola is coloured with copic markers.

Kenny K's Krafty Girlz challenge

2010-08-26T22:05:00.000-07:00

This is my latest Kenny K digital stamp purchase ... she totally rocks!!! After being busy preparing for markets and taking care of a few other deadlines, I've finally cleared off my papercraft desk and dusted off my copic markers. Feels gooooooood! This week's challenge is an awesome sketch by Donna. If you check out the sketch you'll see that I've been a little liberal with it's translation LOL ... but it was truly my inspiration ... honest!

Anyway, supplies:
Copic markers (too many to list!)
Digital Stamp - Rock Chic, Kenny K
Greeting stamp - Darkroom Door 'All Occassions'
Frame - Cricut, cut from Graphically Speaking, coloured with copic YG's
Cardstock - Bazzill
Pattern paper - from stash

Rainbow Serpent crochet pattern available now!

2010-08-25T10:06:00.000-07:00

I gave you a sneak peak last week, and now here it is ... the Rainbow Serpent! This gorgeous crochet amigurumi is my sister's creation, and she has created a pattern for it as well!

If you can do a single crochet, slip stitch, increase and decrease, then that's all you need to know! It's a great pattern for using up leftover yarn from other projects.

You can purchase the pattern in my Etsy shop, Hello Dollies. Click here, or on the photograph to be taken directly to the listing? Not an Etsy shopper? No problem. Just email me at dlewis71@aapt.net.au and I'll be happy to send a paypal invoice for US$5 + shipping ($1 within Australia, $2 everywhere else). Currently the pattern is on paper only, but we're working on a PDF pattern to be available soon :)

It made my day!

2010-08-24T21:31:00.000-07:00

It was election day on Saturday, and I worked at one of the local polling booths. I love working on election day ... the people ... the occassion ... the papers!!!!!!!!!

During the day I saw a lot of young voters come in, but what really made my day was seeing a mother photographing her teenage son casting his first ever vote. She must have been a scrapbooker :D

As the evening progressed I was opening the huge senate papers, and when we were about 1,000 into the bunch I pulled one open and found this ....

I laughed out loud and it REALLY made my evening :D Sure, it's an informal vote, but his intention was clear LOL. Note for non-Australian residents ... this was our prime minister until recently when his deputy prime minister staged a coup and kicked him out.

I don't want to know how many days ... but ....

2010-08-17T00:13:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I know ... I'll have people covering their ears and trying to ignore me. Sorry! What I am particularly excited about is the fundraiser I created for my Girl Guide district last year. We offered personalised christmas gift tags to our families, and I was overwhelmed with the response! I created and printed over 2,100 tags!!!!

The tags are 2" x 3", and I print your 'from' greeting. This was particularly popular with large families, as they were pleased not to write 'from Joe, Sarah, Robert, Ada, Susan & Jack' (or some such essay) on hundreds of gift tags!

Anyway ... they are coming back, and not only for my girl guides. We are offering this as a fundraiser for other Aussie groups like Guides, Scouts, preschools, P&C's, sporting groups, etc. If you want some info, just email me at dlewis71@aapt.net.au and I'll happily send you everything you need to see and know :) Otherwise, if you want to place an order for yourselves, the new designs & order forms will be available really soon. Just let me know, and I'll happily email you an order form :)

The Rainbow Serpent

2010-08-14T03:49:00.000-07:00

Last year I discovered amigurumi, which is a modern and gorgeous style of crochet. I showed it to my sister, and she has really picked it up and run with it!!! See this little snakey snippet ... my sister designed this! It's her rainbow serpent, and it's as tall as my mother!!! This crochet reptilian will be accompanying me to the Handmade Craft Markets on Sunday 22nd August, and the pattern will be available for sale. What's that? You can't make it to the market? What a shame. You don't have to miss out, though. Stay tuned because I'll let you know when this pattern is available on Etsy.

New Rubbah!

2010-08-10T01:12:00.000-07:00

Today I bought my first Darkroom Door stamp set. This is a shocking state of affairs ... not because I already have too many stamps (*snort* ... that's funny) ... but because I have known Rachel Greig for yeeeeeeeeearsssssssss! I figured that since I have asked my friend Sarah (Inkurable Stampers) to borrow her set about 3 times now, I should probably have my own.

This is the absolute ultimate in greeting sets for cardmakers! It not only has pretty much every greeting I will ever need, I also realised I can mix & match some words to make more! Go check out the gorgeousness that is Darkroom Door at their blog here.

Zoo

2010-08-05T18:05:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday we took the kids to Taronga Zoo, and I took my zoom lens! It was a gorgeous day, and I was happy with some of the 400-ish photos that I took *hee hee*. Thought I'd share 3 of my faves.

1 card - 2 challenges!

2010-07-28T23:36:00.000-07:00

I coloured this gorgeous girl last night, and managed to put this card together today in a quiet moment.

Digital Stamp - Download Diva, Kenny K
Design paper - KI Company
Bling - Kaisercraft
Everything else from my de-branded stash :D
Coloured with copic markers - E00, E02, E04, E71, E74, E77, RV000, RV02, RV04, B00

This card is for the following challenges:
Kenny K's Crafty Girls challenged us to use a sketch (check!)
Dare U 2 Digi Stamp challenged us to use stitching (check!)

1 card - 4 challenges

2010-07-27T04:37:00.000-07:00

I remember when paper piecing was cutting out a bunch of shapes then putting them together to make a multi coloured & designed easter bunny (or some such thing). I used to be pretty good at it too, so I was intrigued to see the Mo Manning challenge for this week ... paper piecing. But, oh my! Paper piecing is different in the stamping world, and I love it!!!

So ... this card is for 4 challenges.

Mo Manning has challenged us to use paper piecing (check!)
Friday Sketchers has a lovely square sketch that I adapted to a standard rectangular card (check!)
Stamp Challenges have challenged us to make something flowery (check!)
Digital Tuesday has challenged us to Dazzle me (check!)

This sweet little 'Angel with Kitten' is by Mo Manning, and I have printed her on SU whisper white cardstock and coloured her with copic markers. The pattern paper is from a cheap & nasty stack I bought for the kids at Big W,and I've used some teeny gems at the top, a big Bella gem brad on a Prima flower at the bottom right, and the ribbon is by Making Memories.

Copic markers: E50, E51, E53, E02, E31, E33, E35, W-1, W-3, W-5, W-7, G94, R20, B00, C-1

Cookie Sheet Advent Calendar

2010-07-23T21:04:00.000-07:00

**THIS IS MY 2ND POST FOR TODAY. PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO SEE A NEW CARD**

It was chaotic fun at Erina Scrapbook Store this morning, teaching 8 lovely ladies how to make this cookie sheet advent calendar. As promised, girls ... here is a close up of the numbers so you can see how I cut them out. Some are popped up with foam tape, and others are just stuck down with double sided tape. I used Tim Holtz Distress Ink 'Vintage Photo' to colour up my numbers and title (and everything else!). I have also included the 'countdown to' section. If you just click on it (below) and right click save it to your computer, you can print it right out for your project :)

Enjoy!

1 card - 2 challenges

2010-07-23T20:28:00.000-07:00

Kenny K's Crafty Girls challenge - sketch (OK, so I diverted from the sketch just a bit, but I just couldn't bring myself to put scalloped edges on a masculine card LOL. I stamped a faux stitched border instead.)
Dare u 2 Digi Stamp challenge - stitching.

Everything here is from my stash, and the stamp is the awesome Kenny K golfer. I coloured him with copic markers. The greeting is from 'Short & Sweet' by SU. The Faux stitch border is a Heidi Grace stamp.

Copic markers: E31, E33, E35, E50, E51, E53, E02, R20, R22, R27, B00, W-1, W-3, W-5, W-7.

Card for Challenges!

2010-07-23T01:03:00.000-07:00

This was a card I threw together quickly, but I think it's really cute. I've been making a lot of these crochet flowers lately, and when I picked up this DCWV baby boy stack at Big W this week, I was really happy to find they went together perfectly!!!

So ... I'm entering this card in the following challenges this week :D

Paper Sundaes - challenging us to make our own flowers (check!)
Inkurable Stampers - challenging us to use Lime & Lavender (check!)
Papertake Weekly Challenge blog - challenging us to be cutie patootie! (check!)

Blog Candy - winner & giveaway

2010-07-22T22:29:00.000-07:00

There were only 2 entries, which made it quick to pop the names into a little box and let my girls draw one out. The winner is Nikki! Thanks so much for entering the 'Anything Goes' challenge over at the The Town Scrapper, and entering for my blog candy. Please email me with your snail mail address so I can get your prize in the post :)

This is the lovely altered box that Nikki entered in our challenge.

The Town Scrapper is on haitus until 10 September, and we will be returning with some really cool challenges for you then. The DT will still be posting on their own blogs, so feel free to check them all out from time to time for a bit of inspiration. You can find links to the rest of the DT over on the right side of this blog :D

Now to someone else's blog candy. Again, Kellie is offering up some scrummy blog candy! Happy up-coming birthday Kellie! As always, go check out her blog (it's a feast for the eyes!), and check out the awesome stamps in her online store too www.Tickledpinkstamps.com.au

Good things do come in small packages

2010-07-21T20:49:00.000-07:00

I had already brought the mail in, so what was that envelope in my letterbox? Had the postie forgotten one and come back to deliver it? Hmmmm ... no. There's no address, just my name. Ooooo ... hand-delivered post. Was it a cheque for Guides? NO! Inside was this BEAUTIFUL card from my lovely friend Sarah Not only is she rocking the copics, but I'm digging the embossing, and how the heck can I make my handwriting look as funky as yours???!!! LOL So now this beautiful burst of colour is sitting high and proud on my desk where I can see her all the time :D Thank you Sarah! You can see more of it on her blog ... here.

Crochet Cuties

2010-07-20T02:04:00.001-07:00

I packed up a large batch of crochet flowers and hearts last night, and designed these cute little bag toppers. Well, today Miss 9 helped me to fold the toppers and I attached them to the right bags. I think they look cute, and they should sell well at the upcoming Handmade Craft Markets. You will find me (and my Crochet Cuties) there on Sunday 22 August from 9am-2pm, at Erina High School, in the hall. Packs of 3 are $1.50, and packs of 5 are $2.50. Always happy to make custom colour packs on request :)

Kellie Winnell rocks!

2010-07-19T00:27:00.000-07:00

OK, this is one seriously talented stamper/colourer/papercrafter, people! Kellie Winnell is made of 100% creative genius, and I drool on my keyboard when I look at her blog and DT creations. Now she's gone and made herself even more awesome in my eyes by offering up the biggest piece of blog candy I have ever seen!!!!! Check it out ... see that photo? THAT is the candy.

So ... pop on over to her blog and do yourself a favour and cruise around and look at her beautiful cards. It's time well spent :)

Kenny K's first challenge!

2010-07-17T00:10:00.000-07:00

I know I'm just squeaking it in, but this is my entry for the first Kenny K challenge, which is PASTEL!

I used Download Diva as a headshot, and coloured her with the only pastel-type copics I have, and stuck to lighter hair. I coloured a white prima flower with the same copic markers, as well as the circle with the stamped sentiment (SU Taggers Dozen). The paper is from my scrap heap as is the pearl heart. I just got my clear Spica pen, so it's all over everything (even if you can't see it in the photo, it really is!)

Go check out the awesomeness that is the Kenny K Crafty Girls here and try not to drool on your keyboards!

The Town Scrapper Friday Challenge

2010-07-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

It's challenge day!!!!! Head on over to The Town Scrapper and see what the Design Team has done this week. Amazing! The challenge this week is 'Anything Goes!'.

This card is super simple and quick to make, and the base is from the one-sheet wonder class I am teaching next month. The paper is Kaisercraft, the greeting is printed from the computer and the stamp is CC Designs Spring Emma coloured with copic markers. The tiny crochet heart is made by me :D You like? Good ... because there'll be some exciting news about these little crochet goodies at the end of this post.

This card is made from a very old scrap of pattern paper with bazzil cardstock, prima flowers and Kaisercraft droplets. The stamp is Kraftin Kimmie Lavinia and is coloured with copic markers.

Both of these stamps came to me all the way from Phebe's shop in Canada!

This is our last challenge for the month before we take a summer haitus (which is weird for me in the middle of winter LOL). Not only is there an awesome prize on offer over at The Town Scrapper, but I am offering up a little blog candy too!

To be in the running for a set of 12 tiny rainbow crochet hearts, here's what to do:

Go to The Town Scrapper blog here and read the challenge rules.
Go to your scrapping desk and make a cool card (don't forget to photograph it!).
Go to your blog and show us what you made.
Go back to The Town Scrapper blog and use the Inlinkz blue frog to enter.
Come back here and leave a comment on this post with a link to your blog entry.

I can't wait to see the awesome cards you're all going to be making! The challenge ends at midnight 22 July (Canadian time), and I will have my daughters do a random draw to select a winner of the blog candy before they go to school on 23 July, before announcing the winner. Don't forget to check back in to see if you've won!

Scrap It TV

2010-07-14T23:45:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it was March when I taped a segment for Scrap It TV Series 3! The new series starts tonight, 8pm on the Aurora Channel. If you'd like to see a preview of the series, click here. If you look closely you'll even see me!!!!

We shot 4 segments at Erina Scrapbook Store with Tony and had a ball! Rachel Greig (of Darkroom Door) and Stacey Howes (inventor of the incredible Line It Up tool) also filmed some segments. This is a great photo that Rach took of me on the set.

Tiny crochet goodness!

2010-07-13T22:05:00.000-07:00

Here it is ... my new favourite way to keep busy whilst at the doctors office, chatting on the phone or watching tv. Crochet.

My goal is to fill these tins for the Handmade Craft Markets next month. I think I can do it LOL. They look so cute on cards, scrapbooking pages, hairclips, amigurumi or handmade dolls.

My next challenge is to set a price for them, and decide whether I should bag some up, or just leave them loose :D

The Town Scrapper Monday Showcase

2010-07-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

It's showcase day! Wait until you see what the rest of the design team has in store for you over at The Town Scrapper!!! This is my card for Monday. Again, I've been rummaging around in my stash, trying to use up years of leftover paper goodies & embellishments.

This is a beautiful new Victoria Case stamp, carried by Phebe at The Town Scrapper, called Magical Sophie. Isn't that puppy just the cutest?! Here's the full ingredient list:

Stamp - Victoria Case, Magical Sophie
Copic markers - E50, E51, E53, E31, E33, E35, E71, E74, E77, C-1, C-3, C-5, BOO, RV95, RV000, RV02, RV04, BV00, BV02, BV04 and a pink Spica pen
Greeting stamp - Studio G
Design paper - Making Memories
Purple ink
Gems & ribbon from stash

Now ... get on over to the blog and see what the rest of the show! Want to know more about Phebe's products? You can contact Phebe by email at info@townscrapper.com or by phone at 519-882-0623 (that's in Canda, people!)

DT Call!

2010-07-11T02:42:00.000-07:00

Your Next Stamp is looking for new DT members!

This is an open design team call, so anyone of any age from anywhere can apply! The new DT term will run for 6 months from September 1st 2010 through February 28th 2011. You must have a well-maintained blog on which you would be willing to share your YNS creations each week, be able to take good quality digital photographs of your work, and possess great coloring skills.

The stamps over at YNS are just adorable, and my dd's have put in quite a wish list already. Just perfect for a quick, cute card :)

So ... I thought I'd show off some of my favourite stamped & coloured creations for YNS, and just maybe they might consider me as an applicant for their design team ;)

This mini card was made using goodies all from my scrap folder. The CC Designs stamp was coloured with copic markers, and I even put my new Cricut to good use for the sun & tiara combo and matted word.

This card I made for a sketch challenge, using the gorgeous Shy Tilda stamp by Motivet. This cute little hippo is also coloured using copic markers, and assembled from papers in my scrap folders.

Last, but certainly not least, is another copic coloured card. This Mo Manning image is the spitting image of my oldest daughter!

As you've probably guessed, I like bold colours and shading. Oh, if only my budget would allow me to expand my copic collection more rapidly LOL. I'm a sucker for cute, and I don't discriminate when it comes to stamps ... rubber, acrylic or digital ... they're all good!!!

It's Challenge Friday!!!!

2010-07-09T00:01:00.000-07:00

Friday is challenge day at The Town Scrapper. This weeks challenge is Monochromatic! I may have been a little liberal in my interpretation, but stuck (mostly) with yellow green. I love working monochromatic ... I don't have to think so much about which colours to combine LOL. So if you want to have a go, pop on over to The Town Scrapper blog, get the details, and join in the fun!

Here's a list of my ingredients:
Stamp - Victoria Case, Sophie with Daffodil
Copic markers - E50, E51, E53, E04, Y00, 602, YT00, YT03, GG05, B00, R20, Colourless blender
Cuttlebug die - Friend
Flower - Prima
Brad - Bazzil
Cardstock, paper & ricrac from my very old stash.
Foam tape - Martha Stewart

I embossed the carstock, cut out the 'friend' sentiment and used foam tape to pop it up. I also used foam tape under the stamped image. The dots on the ribbon around the pot were made with my colourless blender. I also "inked" around the embossed cardstock with my YG03 copic marker.

Kraftin Kimmie challenge!

2010-07-05T23:42:00.000-07:00

NOTE: This is my 2nd post for today.

I was thrilled to find that the Kraftin Kimmie challenge #36 is a sketch challenge! I wanted to play with a 'head shot' style of stamping, and Lavinia (from the steampunk collection) really fit the bill for this card. Definately go check out what the design team have put together for this sketch challenge over at the Kraftin Kimmie blog ... wow!!!

For this card I used:
Copic markers: E50, E51, E53, E02, E31, E33, E35, W-1, W-3, W-5, W-7
Stamp: Kraftin Kimmie, Lavinia
Ink: Memento, Tuxedo Black
Distress Ink, Vintage Photo
Design papers - KI Memories (background), K&Co (faux stamp)
Cardstock - Bazzil
Button, twistel and thread from stash

Play time!!!

2010-07-05T21:12:00.000-07:00

Here is a peek into the box of tricks I took to my friend Stacey's place last night. All I did was colour some pre-stamped images, but the other girls were playing with nestabilities, cardmaking, scrapbooking and generally catching up in a child-free atmosphere. It was really nice ... and there were fresh baked jam drops! Mmmmm ... thanks Stacey!!! Big thanks to Sarah for doing the driving too.

In my box of tricks were my copic markers, fave new stamps from CC Designs, Clip Art & Scraps, Kraftin Kimmie, Mo Manning, Whiff of Joy and The Greeting Farm. It was nice to be able to socialise with the other teachers from Erina Scrapbook Store and share a few laughs over mountains of paper & rubber LOL.