Zindorf-inspired with Helen

At training way back in January, Helen brought this really cool technique for us all to play with. It is Michelle Zindorf inspired, and basically involves rubbing ink all over the cardstock in a really messy way - which for some people (Helen, and especially Michelle herself, judging by her blog) results in an amazing piece of art. Me? I just end up with messy fingers and an anal retentive urge to make everything symmetrical and even!! This is my first go!!
Sharlene and I went back to her place and had another go the next day - and I liked my efforts there only marginally better - but we both at least were feeling as out of depth as each other!


Clean and simple is definitely my thing! I will stick to admiring Zindorf inspired art from afar, wishing I was that talented and less rigid in my creativity :)

ESAD Mothers Day Blog Hop

Good Morning everyone!

I hope you’re ready for the ESAD Blog Hop! Better go grab yourself a cuppa as you’ll be hopping for a while!

What is ESAD you say?

ESAD stands for Extra Special Australian (and New Zealand) Demonstrators and it is an online group just for Australian and New Zealand demonstrators for Stampin’ Up!

We so love what we do and not only do we love to share it with our customers, friends and wonderful blog visitors but we share our love for what we do with each other as Demonstrators. We run swaps, challenges, tutorials, product know how and cyberstamps and we are always there to help and support each other when its needed.

So if you are a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator located in Australia or New Zealand then please feel free to click here to join our wonderful group.

Maybe you just joined me from Wendy's blog, but if not, stress not - this is a circular hop, you can join anywhere, and find your way round the whole loop.

This hop is to showcase the fantastic things you can do with the Big Shot for Mother's Day - and this is the card I will be giving my mum :)

This was originally an idea from Patty Bennet - but it has grown like topsy, and I cant remember where I saw the petticoat first - but it adds a cutesy element that I like :)

The dress is a scallop circle die, and then the sides are cut out to make the dress shape. (just eyeball it - or if you plan on making lots, do a template using the backing of a DSP pack). This DSP is Bella Rose - a favourite of mine that I have been neglecting since we got Cottage Wall! The bottom of the dress uses the eyelet punch, and has been crimped to make the petticoat.

The riding hood red mat has been embossed using the polka dot embossing folder (LOVE it!!) to give a bit of texture.

The second card I have made also uses the scallop circle die, and is aimed at a brand new mum! How cute is this little baby carriage?

To make a card that opens using you scallop circle, start with an A5 folded in half like you normally would, then lay it on your die missing some of the scallops with the folded edge - the scallop circle die can cut about 6 layers at a time - maybe more - I have tried 6 and it worked fine! Haven't needed more than that yet!

So there you have my little contribution - hop on over to Sharlene Meyer - and try to be nice when you compare us ;) She has talent with a capital T :)

Want blog candy?? Visit every stop on the blog hop and leave a comment on all the posts then let Sharlene Torres know by Friday 30th April 2010 so you can be put in the draw. No Stampin' Up!® demonstrators please.

Now - go enjoy the rest of the hop :)

bye bye birdie

OK. final cloisonne card - also using fun and fast notes but has a totally different feel to the wedding card. (just to show how long ago I did this - that ribbon was current when i made this card!! lol)

wedding card

This card uses fun and fast notes, and uses a dark background - giving a real elegant look instead of the flowery ones seen so far

Cloisonne Trois :)

This is probably my favourite cloisonne card - but then it is my favourite style - clean and simple. It uses the fall-to-layout 54

Faux Cloisonne - part Deux

haha.. see what i did there??? ok.. never mind!!
I love this card! It is a total CASE of one done by Alisa Tilsner from Aussie - but when have I ever let that stop me??? :)
I did drop one flower, and used cloisonne instead of cardstock, so obviously it is TOTALLY different! (and her brads are straight!!)

A note on CASE-ing:
CASE stands for Copy and Share Everything, and I personally would not be able to create ANYthing if this was not acceptable. I am not colour co-ordinated, and have no concept of design and space, so please - if I CASE you - take it as a compliment. :) I ALWAYS credit (not necessarily with a link, but at least the full name and country if possible) - and if I dont know I will say so, but will still acknowledge it was not my original.
Ok, soap box lecture over :) Carry on!

where did March go??

And February and January - and most of April in fact!
I suck at this blogging business - I know - I admit it!
It took a blog hop to get me back on here - I need deadlines! What can i say! :)
I have been creating - so I will share my creations on here over the next few days, then check back on thursday for the ESAD Blog Hop :)

OK.. so I have my Big Shot, and i have been playing with that A LOT, but I want to save that for after the blog hop!So this is what I was doing before!!
This uses a technique called "Faux Cloisonne", and there is an awesome tutorial on Splitcoast here
I have a few of this technique to show you over the next few days.
So without further ado, coz I know you have been waitin 4 months for these pics!! ;)
a matching pair - boy baby and girl baby! Take your pick :)