Monday 31 May 2010

Artful Inkables :: Think INK challenge

Well I am being a busy little blogger today.... But It's MONDAY so I do need to show you my Artful INKables creation for this week...
This is my inspiration for the current THINK INK CHALLENGE.... We are to "THINK POCKETS. It can be any type of pocket, pockets on a scrapbook page or card, our new Pick a Pocket Piece is PERFECT for this challenge"


so I had to use the Pick a Pocket Piece set and I combined it with the Bug and Blossom Mandalas another new set!! :D
I stamped the pocket.. stamped the Mandala on top and then coloured it in with B93, B95 and B97 .. then I stonewashed it with the colourless blender brush tip and to finish up I went over the design with a Sky Blue Spica pen! I stuck the pocket on cardstock.. leaving it open at the top and then cut the card around in the shape of the pocket.
So you can insert a gift card or some $$ in the pocket and then write on the inside. Great for a small gift!!
Check out the current Think Ink challenge over at the Artful INKables blog!!

Farm Fresh Friday :: That Gal

This week's Farm Fresh Challenge at The Greeting Farm is to use the photo of this lovely looking face primer as inspiration.
So here is my card.... I have used Maria from the roll call set (Huge thanks to Trace for stamping her for me). It's been a while since I've managed to get a card done for A TGF challenge so I'm pretty happy to have got this one in! :D
The colours I've used are ..
skin:E00, E11, dress: Y00, R20, R22, hair: YG23, YG11, Melon spica pen, flowers: R83, R85
I used a black multiliner to sketch up the cityscape in the background!

Thanks for stopping by,

Sheriff Ian's at the Stamp Spot....

Good Morning ... Today I would like to introduce you to Sheriff Ian ... he is one of the wonderful stamps from The Greeting Farm which Marcia has in stock over at THE STAMP SPOT!
I've coloured him in with Copics of course... using a 0.05 multiliner to give him a couple of freckles! The colours I used are:
Skin: E000, E00
blues: B93, 95, 97
browns: E31,33,35,37
buckle and star: Y28
red: R27, 29

POP on over to The Stamp Spot for all your stamping and scrapbooking needs.. there are some yummy products there at the moment!!

Saturday 29 May 2010

OH, ALICE :: CHAPTER 15: New ideas are SWIRLING...doors are opening...all in our little WONDERLAND...

"It's no use talking about it," Alice said, looking up at the house and pretending it was arguing with her. `I'm not going in again yet. I know I should have to get through the Looking-glass again -- back into the old room -- and there'd be an end of all my adventures!'

So, resolutely turning back upon the house, she set out once more down the path, determined to keep straight on till she got to the hill. For a few minutes all went on well, and she was just saying, `I really shall do it this time -- ' when the path gave a sudden twist and shook itself (as she described it afterwards), and the next moment she found herself actually walking in at the door..."

Hello everyone!We are so excited today as we enter a new door here at Oh, Alice! There are always twists and turns down Alice's path, and with that, we have some good news, even some sad news, but we are all looking forward to our next Chapter here in WONDERLAND!

We are thrilled to have Lynne joining us as our June Guest Tea Party Member!

Today we are also excited to welcome LITTLE PAPER SHOP as our Sponsor! The very generous Julia has not only let us play with this adorably cute ALICE digi stamp, but is offering a $15 Gift Certificate to the LPS shop to one lucky winner this week! We can't thank Julia enough for this fabulous sponsorship and can't wait to see your creations this week.

Our Challenge this week is a fun one! Since we have so many ideas "SWIRLING" around in our heads here and can't wait to bring you the next three months worth of challenges, we can't wait to see what YOU have swirling about!
USE SWIRLS on your card/project this week. You can use DP, stamps, bling, whatever swirls up your own creativity! You have until Friday, June 4th at 8pm CST to upload your card/creation to the Oh, Alice! blog.

Here is my swirly card using the adorable Alice digi from LPS ...


I used a few types of swirlys... the papers, the bling and I used my Copics to create a swirly background behind Alice!!

this week, sadly we have to say goodbye - with a VERY BIG THANKS to




These twisted sisters will be sorely missed .. but as our Mad Hatter herself wrote...
We know that you cant really 'close" the door to Wonderland...well, maybe you can, but just like Alice did, you can ALWAYS come back through! We know they won't be strangers as they'll be playing along with our challenges if and when they can. They will be missed but it will ALWAYS be their un-birthday here at our little twisted table.

Be sure to tune in next week as it will be time for Lynne, our June Tea Party Guest's first challenge and also for a VERY exciting announcement as there may be a few new place settings at our table... CURIOUSER AND CURIOUSER!!!

Thursday 27 May 2010

Copic Beginners class

I've been getting ready for my first Copic Beginners class tomorrow night! I'm nearly there!!
Just thought I'd share with you the card I'm using as a sample.... I'm using Mermaid Anya from the Greeting Farm as she is lovely to colour and there is the room to use LOTS of techniques on her. Hope you are all well! I'm much better... just have to try and stay warm and dry!


All the papers came from my lovely friend Marcia at The Stamp Spot!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Wednesday 26 May 2010

Twilight digital stamps by Spesch

Good Morning! Today I am showing you the Twilight inspired stamps Alice, Bella and Edward digi stamps that Tracey designed a while ago... apparently she was and still is a little obsessed with Twilight (don't tell anyone I am a little too - hehe) ... With Eclipse coming out at the end of June it was the perfect time to release these images....

Pop on over to Spesch Stamps store and snap yours up at the bargain price of $2 each

Stay tuned for some more popular fantasy characters ... coming to a Spesch store near you!!

Tuesday 25 May 2010

time for a new AI challenge


This week the challenge is brought to you by our DT member, Kim Nath, and she wants you to THINK POCKETS. It can be any type of pocket, pockets on a scrapbook page or card, our new Pick a Pocket Piece is PERFECT for this challenge, There are LOTS of links for inspiration on the Artful INKables blog

* You are not required to use AI stamps, but if you have them, we'd love to see you use them! **IF YOU USE AI STAMPS, YOU GET 2 ENTRIES FOR YOUR CREATION! JUST ENTER YOUR NAME/LINK TWICE ON MR. LINKY!!!

See the rest of the challenge info HERE!!!

Monday 24 May 2010

Artful Inkables - Think Ink challenge...

This is my card for the current THINK INK challenge over at Artful Inkables blog... The current Think INK Challenge is to create a card that has 3 buttons, 2 ribbons and 1 circle, it really is as simple as 1, 2, 3! :D



I have used stamps from one of the new Artful Inkables sets - I used the pocket and butterfly from Pick a Pocket piece.

I coloured the pocket with my fav jeans combo... B93, 95, 97... I then used some colourless blender on the leg of some jeans to create the denim effect (you can kind of make it out in the photo.. looks better IRL) For the butterfly I used feather blending on BG01, R20 and I also used B24, B12, and glittered up with some pink, blue and clear Spica pens.
The paper is from a whole heap of new papers I ordered from Marcia at the Stamp Spot last week! I'm loving them!!

THERE is still a little bit of time for you to enter this current challenge... until midnight tonight-- May 24 (midnight PST)


Saturday 22 May 2010

More exciting Artful INKables news....

{{{Please scroll down for my Oh, Alice challenge post}}}

In addition to our Twlight themed blog hop at the end of June to celebrate the release of Eclipse, we're having a MONTH LONG Twilight themed CHALLENGE FOR OUR BELOVED CUSTOMERS!

What can you win? How about a $25 Gift Certificate to the store, as well as being our featured Customer on the Blog ALL MONTH LONG!!

Deets: We'll be starting Weekly Challenges starting June 3rd. We will have 4 challenges, one per week, each will be posted on a Thursday. You will have one week to complete your challenge piece. You will be required to participated in each challenge, each week, to be eligible to win. An overall winner will be chosen on July 1st.

To participate, you can use any of our fantastic Twilight Themed Stamp sets.... or you can use ANY Artful INKables stamp set to create a Twilight themed card/project. You MUST use AI stamps as the main focus of your cards/projects. You have plenty of time to get some fabulous stamps in order to participate in the challenges and the HOP!

Oh, Alice Chapter 14 :: Gettin' Sketchy in the Golden Afternoon

"Little bread-and-butterflies kiss the tulips,
and the sun is like a toy balloon.
There are get up in the morning glories,
in the golden afternoon.
There are dizzy daffodils on the hillside,
strings of violets are all in tune,
Tiger lilies love the dandy lions,
in the golden afternoon,
the golden afternoon.
There are dog and caterpillars and a copper centipede,
where the lazy daisies love the very peaceful life they lead... "

Hey everyone! Today we have a wonderful Sketch for you today designed by our own Jen Shults! Here's her awesome design:
Our sketch comes w/ just a small twist this week.... Ok, its HUGE!

ONE PLAYER will be chosen this week based on all of the entries (and we know it's going to be TOUGH!!!) to be our JUNE GUEST TEA PARTY MEMBER for Oh, Alice! That's right! The DT will be feverishly going through your creations to choose next month's Guest DT, so if you've been wanting to come and be our Guest at our totally TWISTED Tea Party, now is your chance!

Need some inspiration to get you going? Check out the samples from our TOTALLY TWISTED Tea Party: (you can find their links in my sidebar on the right). Here is my card for this week.


I have used an Alice image drawn by the wonderful Jen Shults!! She does have some gorgeous designs in here webstore The Wild Flower Patch

More on the challenge....We will leave this contest open until THURSDAY May 26th at 11:59 PM CST (please notice the earlier time limit this week just so we can have time to go over entries, contact the winner, and announce them by our next Challenge on the 28th!) to enter your creation. A preliminary note to all-since we know this is going to be a VERY hard decision, please do not be discouraged if your creation isn't chosen as we have plenty of opportunities coming up each month and have tons of fun up our sleeves! We are so thrilled that the blog is going strong and cant wait to see what's next for Oh, Alice!
Please don't forget to Upload your creation on Oh, Alice using Mr. Linky and use keyword OAC14 if you use a public gallery, thanks!
GOOD LUCK everyone!

Thursday 20 May 2010

Magnolia Down Under Challenges :: B&W +1

It's been a while but finally I am entering the Magnolia Down Under Challenge again! YAY!
This week the challenge is to use Black and White (or cream) plus one other colour... as you can see I chose pink as my other colour! pop on over to MDUC and see the wonderful DT creations!


Tilda is coloured in Cool grays + R85, 83,81. I have used those pinks to colour the background also. The sentiment is from the Greeting Farm. I can't believe that this is the first card I've shown using the Spring Kit .. I do love those stamps... and have coloured up lots... but I seem to have trouble turning them into cards!

Hope you are all doing well.. I am still a bit slow getting round to all my beloved blogging friends - need more hours in the day. I have been working on a prayer seminar for a Women's day I'm helping organise for our church this Saturday, still working out how to run my Copic business well and have also been feeling rather under the weather again/ still .... so am a BIT behind!

Eclipse Blog Hop


Who's ready for the June 30th release of Eclipse??? To celebrate, Artful INKables are having a Twilight themed Blog Hop for the DT and our beloved customers! We loved it so much for the New Moon release last year, we wanted to do it again!

You can use any of AI's fantastic Twilight Themed Stamp sets....
One lucky participant of the hop will receive a set of the Twilight Themed Charms, and one lucky commentor will receive a $10 gift certificate code to AI !

If you're participating, grab the badge on the top of this post and post it on your blog! Feel free to link it back to this post so that others can join in!

POP on over to the Artful Inkables blog for more info and to get Jackie's email to register!!!

Monday 17 May 2010

COPIC AUSTRALIA's CARD CHALLENGE

Just a quick post to let you know that Copic Australia is running a card challenge. They want us to create a card in A6 size (when folded) coloured using Copic colours: E02, Y06 and BV02. Each of these colours must appear in the design and you may incorporate other Copic colours to compliment these.
copic-card-challenge
.... YOU can find ALL the details on this card challenge at the Copic Australia website - HERE!!

Welcome to the Artful Inkables blog hop!

If you haven’t come here from Joy, then you will want to start at the Artful Inkables Blog
so you don’t miss anything along the way. You are going to love this release, we are releasing
3 full size stamp sets and a new mini this month, there is something for everyone!

Be sure to follow us all the way to the end and make sure to leave a comment on everyone’s blog, you never know which blog we’ll be choosing a winner from! You will have until Thursday, May 20th at midnight EST to comment on all the design team blogs for a chance at the blog hop goodies!

PRIZES??? 2 winner get to choose one new set of their choice
AND get a one time use 10% off coupon!!

Today, I’m showing you a box and cardset made with a new set called Bug and Blossom Mandala




your next stop on the hop is the lovely Tanya

Sunday 16 May 2010

More Spesch previews

Today I am showing you a couple more cards I've made with some of the new images available at Spesch Stamps... these two images are actually available in clear stamps! YAY!! Check out the new webstore HERE!

Engagement image...

Wedding image


I think these images are just too cute! Don't you!! :D

email issues

Hello there! I have been having email issues... ahhhh! If you have emailed me over the last few days and not had a reply please could you resend the email as I have not received it!! THANKS :D

Saturday 15 May 2010

OH, ALICE ... CHAPTER 13: Mushroom Inspiration

((scroll down for Spesch stamps release...))

"Oh dear! I'd nearly forgotten that I've got to grow up again!
Let me see--how IS it to be managed?
I suppose I ought to eat or drink something or other; but the great question is, what?''


Alice looked all round her at the flowers and the blades of grass, but she did not see anything that looked like the right thing to eat or drink under the circumstances. There was a large mushroom growing near her, about the same height as herself; and when she had looked under it, and on both sides of it, and behind it, it occurred to her that she might as well look and see what was on the top of it..."


Good day, everyone!

Today we have a fabulous inspiration piece for you and are SO excited to get to this week's challenge. Here is your inspiration photo for this week's challenge:
We can't WAIT to see what you do with this week's challenge, and are even more excited to announce that this week, Oh, Alice is being sponsored by the wonderful Victoria Case Art Designs!!
And just WAIT until you check out the Prize! Victoria is SUPER generous and is offering 5 Rubber Stamps to one lucky winner! Can you believe that?!? Thanks so much, Victoria!

We have a feeling the entries are going to be amazing this week, and to kick-start your mojo, just check out the rest of the DT's creations:

I was so sad to miss a week last week but was just unable to get a card done so I am thrilled to be back this week.... here is my card!!
I used the colours and shape of the plate as my inspiration (no mushrooms here... except for those that the Mad Hatter may have drunk) I had a bit of fun colouring him green! LOL! The colours I used are: BG10, 15, 01, V15, 17, 09, Y00, 3, 6, RV29, E35, 33,31, B00 + I finishd off some areas with glossy accents!

You have until Friday, May 20th at 8pm CST to enter to qualify for this awesome prize! Be sure to link your creation below using Mr. Linky and if you're uploading to a public gallery, please use OAC13 as your keyword. Good luck, everyone and have a CURIOUS week!

Spesch stamps release day



Well today is release day for Spesch Stamps and there is a wonderful package of love/ wedding images - from engagement images right through to a pregnant mummy. You can see all the images on gorgeous cards by the Design Team on the Spesch stamps blog! Christina has done a super job designing these images and you will not be disappointed!!

Also....Great news >> The engagement image of a proposal on the knee and the wedding image will be available in clear stamps (there are limited numbers so get in quick). The very gorgeous Bonnie is also available to buy in clear polymer.

Please be patient as the website is new it may experience a few hiccups in the beginning but Tracey will endeavour to sort out any issues as soon as possible.

Here's a couple of cards I have made with the new images...



Colours used:Dress/Shoes: RV19, 17, 14, Face: E000, Eoo, R20
Dummy/ eyes: B13, bag + hair: C10, 7, 5, 3




Colours used: Skin: E000, Eoo, R20, Hair: E35, 33, 31,
tiara: C3,1 + glossy accents + pink spica, Pinks: R85, 83, 81, + 0


I'm really loving working with these Spesch stamps images and so thankful to Tracey for
having me on her team! Thanks hun!
ooh, and I can't wait to see what everyone else creates with these new images!!

Sammi
xx

Wednesday 12 May 2010

children's birthday cards

When we were in Adelaide the 5 year old girl (daughter of our friend's we stayed with) had to go to a birthday party for some twins and so I whipped up a couple of cards for her. I did not have any papers or embellishments so it is purely Copic coloured images on some white card that Ally had! Anyway, of course I snapped up a picture to share them here!





Thanks for stopping by, seems I've picked up a dreaded flu :P so not feeling brilliant!


PS. I am going to run some Copic classes from my home in SYDNEY (BEXLEY) and also open up to sell Copics (which I have in stock) at those times... so if you are keen for classes then please email me on sales@madformarkers.com.au

The winner of my blog candy is....

#12 - Lisa.

Please email me your postal address and I'll post it out to you.

Tuesday 11 May 2010

A Fairy Whimsey ATC

Well I missed my day for posting an Artful INKables creation yesterday... so - I am a day late! oops! Sorry! I had the image coloured but have been feeling VERY MOJOless and so that is why I am running so late!

I have decided to make an ATC using the gorgeous fairy from the Fairy Whimsey set!
I just LOVE this set to pieces! I did feather blending on the fairies wings and skirt (I posted a tutorial on this technique on the Mad for Markers blog yesterday) and I added glossy accents on her wings.



Before I go just reminding you that - TODAY is....


Pop over to Artful Inkables blog for this challenge which has been set by the lovely Dawn Knight ... She wants you to use this Recipe challenge: USE 3 BUTTONS, 2 Pieces of RIBBON, 1 CIRCLE
* You are not required to use AI stamps, but if you have them, we'd love to see you use them! **IF YOU USE AI STAMPS, YOU GET 2 ENTRIES FOR YOUR CREATION! JUST ENTER YOUR NAME/LINK TWICE ON MR. LINKY!!!

* You have until Monday, May 24, 2010, midnight PST to link your creation to the Artful INKables blog. A winner will be chosen Tues, May 25, 2010 to win a GRAB BAG of AI STAMPS!

* When posting your link, please post the link directly to your creation- so if it's on your blog, please link it directly to the specific post with your creation.

* If uploading to SCS or PCP, please add the keyword AIC20

Monday 10 May 2010

The Stamp Spot with a Kiss



Marcia from THE STAMP SPOT stamped off a chunk of images for me to colour and this is the one I chose to colour and send her first .... isn't this image just so cute!!! I think so!!!
This image is A Kiss for Chloe ... from Sarah Kay.

POP on over to the Stamp spot blog to see lots more wonderful images, cards and scrapbook layouts to give you inspiration for your crafting AND you can pick up all those much "needed" bits and bobs for your crafting from Marcia at her online store The Stamp Spot


Well I am back home again and a little overwhelmed at the emails and blogs I have to catch up on... please bear with me a little as I catch up! I hope to be fully back on board in blogland ASAP

Friday 7 May 2010

Blog Candy Alert


To celebrate the launch of Spesch Designer Stamps website Tracey is offering a blog candy.

It is very simple to enter.
All you need to do is post this candy on your blog and leave a link in Mr Linky of that post. I will draw a winner on the 15th of May - the same day as our next release.

What is in the candy:
- Spesch Stamps Bonnie Clear Stamp
- Spesch stamps up coming release clear stamps x 2 (not telling what they are).
- Mad for Markers Neenah Solar white small pack of 25
- 3x Copic markers - E000, E00, E21 (the colours I use for skin colouring).
- Memento ink pad (forgot to put in picture)
- 3 x Imaginisce clear stamps
- Delish 6x6 paper pack
- Pink Paislee 365degrees 6x6 paper pack
- 1 metre of lace
- 4x bunches of gardenia's
- 7x bunches of cherry blossoms
- Pearl pin pack.
- Bella pearls
- Bella ribbon slides
- Nellie Snellen leaf punch

The candy will close on the 15th May at 6am (GST+10).

Thursday 6 May 2010

I am now Copic Certified!! YAY!!!

The very first Aussie Certification course took place today!! YAY!!! HUGE THANKS to those who made it happen and particularly to Jacqui and Jonny from XPress GraphX - Copic Australia!!

It was great!! I will keep this brief as I am really exhausted... but wanted to post up some piccies before I go to bed.. am in Adelaide again for the rest of my holiday.. so I apologise if I have not emailed you back or been around your blogs... that's Monday's job!! :D

I was so excited when I heard Marianne Walker was coming out to do Certification and there was no way I was going to miss that!! :D



It was lovely to meet the gorgeous Michey - a fellow blogger who lives 5 mins away from me I found out today!! We're going to have to have a colouring date!!! we also got to meet Sue W which was great and Kerrie (but I did not manage to get a photo of those two lovely ladies).




Another highlight was meeting the delightful Jodie Turner - Jodie from Oz... and seeing her work first hand - she is just lovely - and so talented!!



and of course, I also got to meet the very lovely Kylie Kueter - I'm thrilled to have her on my Design Team for Mad for Markers and am very much looking forward to seeing more of her wonderful creations. Kylie, Jodie and I all sat on the same table which was great.. along with Chris from Copic (Xpress GraphX) and two other lovely ladies!




Here is Jodie and Kylie (at the end of the day)...


It was also awesome to meet Lori Craig (who came out to help run the course)! Both Lori and Marianne were really delightful :D....


although Marianne is a little crazy :D hehe... colouring her wedding ring green....


and streaking her hair too...


A whole world of Copic ideas opened up to me today. lol!! Anyway.. will maybe give you other info later but right now... I'm off to bed.... to dream of compressers....... oh, just before I go.. here is Marianne signing my certificate! YAY!!! :D