I'm Back ... again!

Such a lot has happened since I last posted. WOW!

I actually don't know what to write about first....there is just so much. 

I'm proud to tell you that I've been published again, firstly in Australian Simply Cards (Issue 56) with a selection of cards featuring triple stamping. I also had one of my cards as the main feature on the cover of this issue. Secondly I had a selection of 15 cards published in Cardmaking  in Easy Steps (Issue 10) that were made from the one kit. Whoo!

Next I went to the Papercraft Expo in Brisbane over the Queen's Birthday long weekend. I was fortunate to take three classes, one with Rachel Greig from Darkroom Door stamps, one with Emma Lou Beechy from Heartfelt Creations and the final class with Jane Trezenza from Seriously Scrapbooking. Each of these crafters have a wealth of talent and it was a privilege to spend time with them. I've included photos of my projects accomplished during these classes. I have to admit it's refreshing to make something with someone else telling you exactly how to make it. You can't help but have a great end-product.


I spent the Monday with my friend Narelle and it was a great time which fortunately (for us) wasn't as crowded as the Saturday, so we were able to move around and have a great look around. Needless to say I spent LOTS of money.

During the past month I've also been busy making cards, including fifty for my son's fete (sorry I forgot to take photos of them), as well as three commissions for Practical Publishing.

Also during this time, I'm sorry to say, my niece Ashleigh lost her baby boy Carter to complications after he was born five weeks prematurely. It has been a terrible experience for her and her husband, Jarade; but they have been extremely strong throughout and are both now trying to look forward to the future. It's at this time that I realised that Ashleigh and her two sisters, Emma and Kristy are young women, not the girls I've thought of them for so long, and are wonderfully  strong and capable with such a strength of character that I've been blown away. My sister, Carol, is now slouch in this characteristic. She's been a rock for the entire family to lean on and she still manages to smile. Cheers to the amazing women I'm related to!

I haven't yet been able to make any cards for challenges - that's yet to happen soon.

Anyway, bye for now,
Janelle

Muse Challenge #17

Such a lot has happened since the last time I posted. 

Mother's Day was lovely, with my son giving me a card he made and a rose he bought at school. The card is so lovely as it has such heartfelt messages to me and was particularly splendid as inside it had some handmade honeycomb paper (his teacher must have the patience of a saint to attempt to make honeycomb paper with a class of twenty-five ten year-olds). 

I was lucky that I spent some time with my mum on the day, but mostly I spent the day relaxing with my husband and son. 

During this time I also lightly sprained my ankle by rolling over on it, so there were quite a few days when I was hobbling around. Thankfully it only twinges occasionally now. I also had a commission to do for Australian Simply Cards, which took up so much time and wasted so much paper as I couldn't properly translate my ideas into a card. My mojo took quite a beating. This wasn't helped by the fact that my CFS was acting up and all I wanted to do was sleep. It really makes it hard to think at times when it's bad.

On the bright side, I won a Blog Hop with Scrapbook Boutique and received a new set of stamps called "My Girl" from My Mind's Eye. I'd like to thank Evelyn very much for her generosity. I haven't used them yet, but plan to soon.

Anyway, I'm back now with a card for the Muse Challenge #17. I've not  been able to do any challenges lately, but I've decided that I'm going to combine the cardmaking I have to do for Alex's school fete with a number of current challenges.

My first set of cards for the fete have been based on the card made by Therese Calvird for this week's Muse Challenge. 

Her card is so cute with the three elephants, but I decided to only do one figure and then have the speech balloons instead of the other figures. The stamps I used were Woodware ones that were free in one of the magazines I buy. So cute! I coloured the image using Copic markers, and added a few punched flowers to supplement the flowers at the owl's feet. I also tried to incorporate the colours that Therese used in her card.

Anyway, I must go now. I'll be back soon with some more fete/challenge cards.

Janelle

Hubby's 50th Birthday Ho Hum!

I can't believe my husband sometimes!

Today was his 50th birthday, so as he gets up for work so much earlier than I need to get up, I left his birthday card on the table in his place, so he'd see it first up. When he phoned later, I asked him how he liked his card. "Whaa???" was his reply. He'd just simply pushed it aside this morning without even giving it a look! ARGHHH!

Then as part of dinner, after he'd unwrapped his presents, etc, I had a cheesecake for his birthday cake (as he doesn't like sponge cake much and I'd gone to the Cheesecake Shop to especially buy his favourite as well as a special 50th candle). Anyway, while I was finishing my dinner, he got up and got himself a yoghurt for his dessert. "But what about your cake?" I asked.   "Oh, I'm too full to eat anything more now." ARGHHH! ARGHHH!

Why do I try?

The card was based (strongly) on a card by Biggan I've pinned on my Pinterest board. Since I had no ideas - it was great to browse through ideas I had selected and choose one that I felt was right. What is it called when you pay homage to a fellow crafter by copying their work - but also remembering to acknowledge where it came from? I know "scraplift" is used for scrapbookers, but is there a specific term for cardmakers as well?

Anyway, bye for now.
Janelle

Scrapbook Boutique Challenge instead

Last night I was too late for this week's Muse Challenge, so I have decided to enter my card into this month's Scrapbook Boutique Challenge instead, as it fits into its criteria as well.

The Scrapbook Boutique stimulus photos always make my mouth water, and this month was no different. Such a pretty collection of colours! The blue, pink and cream (or in my case, yellow) flowers match in with my card. The dots on the cakes are reflected by the rhinestones.

Anyway, I'm off to make my husband's 50th birthday card - no ideas yet!

Bye for now,
Janelle

Muse Challenge #14 - late again!

Another quick post today with an entry into the Muse Challenge for this week.  However I've just missed it by 1 minute. Nothing like leaving things to the last moment! Shame on me!

The card of inspiration was created by Virginia Lu and was such a fresh and vibrant card that I just wanted to create something similar. So while I've used the same sketch, colours and flower motif, I think that my card still looks individual as I've also added the ribbon and bow, as well as the diamantes around the masked circle.

I used a number of stamp sets including Annabelle Stamps Daisy Delight and Designer Flower sets, and Marianne Design Collectables.

Anyway, that's all for now.
Janelle

Fusion #4 Challenge

Just a quick post to submit a card for this week's Fusion Challenge.

I decided to use a paper pack I've had for a little while from Kaisercraft Called Flora Delight. I also decided that I would do a combo of the two challenges - a FUSION of design!

I used the lavender rhinestones to add dimension to the design and also reinforce the circular designs from the sketch. The sentiment was from a Hero Arts stamp set. I love Kaisercraft paper pads as they have nearly everything you need for a complete card. I did originally use on of the sentiment panels from the book, but mucked it up when I tried to shift it, so had to create one of my own to match.

Anyway, must go.

Janelle

Oops ... too late for Fusion #3 Challenge

I was too late to submit this card to the Fusion #3 Challenge this week, but I thought I'd post it here anyway.

I made this card for a great niece's first birthday (which was today) and only used Jackie's sketch. I flipped the sketch vertically and sort of rotated it so the numeral 1 became the sentiment and the raccoon was instead of the flower. The ribbon was used instead of the flourish.

The numeral was a cardboard die cut that I covered with a piece of double-sided adhesive sheet and then coated the top side with gold glitter. This worked well as the glitter didn't want to fall off and spread everywhere once I burnished the piece with my finger and rubbed the glitter onto the sticky sheet.

The raccoon was coloured in using Copic markers and I'm looking forward to a copic colouring class that I'm doing at Photo Continental on the 11th May. I'm more looking forward to the classes I've already booked at the Papercraft Expo in Brisbane during the Queen's Birthday long weekend. I'm going one day with a friend and another day by myself to do two more classes. Yay! Can't wait!

Before I go, I wanted to let you all know that I've now got a Pinterest page at http://pinterest.com/ellenajg/cardmaking-ideas-and-techniques/ . Join me there to share some of my fave card designs, ideas and sketches.

Bye for now,

Janelle

P.S. I hope everyone in Australia had a memorable ANZAC Day today. It's especially important to remember those who have fought for our freedom and safety over the years. God Bless You All.