Stamps Ahead

Here is a clean and simple card to celebrate the birth of a new baby boy.  I am sending this to my sister-in-laws son and his wife who have just welcomed a little bundle of boy joy into the world 2 weeks ago. The card uses Kaszazz It's a Boy Un-cut Set (4 stamps - the two you see, a sweet little elephant and a drum).   I have coloured with alcohol markers bright colours.   I did stamp the little hearts onto the greeting as well. Change the greeting and you would have a card suitable for a birthday. Thank you for looking, Margaret

 Here is a clean and simple layout I created today: In May this year, a friend, Sue and I attended a High Tea in Terrigal, NSW.  It was a fundraiser for the  Sarah Joyce Project . Sarah is an inspirational young lady on the Central Coast who was struck down with Meningococcal Disease and despite constant hospital visits has become an advocate for spreading the word about the disease.  The High Tea was organised by The Lions Club of Wyoming/East Gosford. The sign we are holding says "Keep Strong". The layout uses paper and stamps from the Kaszazz Floral Splash Collection.  The stamps are Cultured Quotes (6507Q), Sketchy Blooms Un-cut Set (6331Q 7 stamps), Scribbly Burst (6492L).  For the title I used Texture Paste coloured with Ripe Raspberry and the word Strength from Stencil A4 - Destiny. The SB Paper is called White Wash.  I stamped the flowers and fussy cut them, added a dash of brown ink in the centre and few small pearls to the centre.  Sunfl...

I have begun creating Christmas cards for Rural Aid christmascards4farmers 2021 campaign.   I have want to go with an Australian theme for most of the cards I make.  Here is one of the designs I am using. Aren't they cute! The card has a'smooched' background and it means every card is different.  I have used Ranger Distress Oxides in candied apple and mowed lawn - however, any combination of red and green inks will work.  You can also use non-Christmas colours.   I have used Kaszazz Sketchy Emu (6443K), Sketchy Santa Hats (6445H 2 stamps) and Greeting (from Word Montage-Merry Christmas 6 stamps) .Thank you for looking,   Margaret

Today, over at Unmistakeable Creations, Melissa set up a lockdown blind scrap challenge.  Here is my layout: A blind scrap is when you are given steps to create your layout in timed intervals - about 15 minutes between each instruction.   The first instruction was to use white cardstock, 3 patterned papers one of which needed to be the oldest in  your stash.  I used 3 patterned papers from this kit that has lain dormant in my stash for ages - I must have used some of it in the past as several of the papers were not in the packet.  Melissa tells me it is from 2008!   Then came the remainder of the requirements - 3 photos 7cm x 10cm one of which must include yourself.   The step that gave me the most time to complete was making the 5 embellishments that were to be handmade - I had fussy cut some of the images; made suffolk puffs from tulle and using a fluffy fancy knitting yarn that I attached to a round punch. This was a fun lockdown acti...

 Here is a card I created yesterday,  The stamp is a long retired Magnolia stamp.  The magnolia is not hand coloured...I stamped the image onto 2 patterned papers - one green (total stamp) and on the 'pinky' colour (just the flower).  I then fussy cut each of these and layered the flower onto the green leaves.   I made another version of this card and instead of Happy Birthday I changed to 'Thinking of you' with this card being sent to a friend doing it hard at the moment. My area is still in lockdown and will be until end of the month, after that who knows!  Take care all, stay safe. I see more creating in my near future. Margaret 

 Todays lockdown project - wooden decoration/gift tags and key rings. My sisters church is having a fair later in the year and these are destined for the craft stall.  Each item was cleaned, stamped and sealed.   For the stamps I dug into my stash for smallish images.  I will admit that the bits of wood/rings have been sitting around for me to get stuck into - today was the day!!! Close up of some of the decorations/gift tags. Close up of some of the key rings. Thank you for looking,  Margaret  

My area is currently in lockdown, due to Covid Delta virus outbreak in Sydney area.  So what have I been doing - why exploring of course!  No, not in a plane, or in a car, or on a bus or train....but exploring Pinterest!   I came across tea bag art...why not give that a try I said to myself!  Here is what I came up with... In my searching I came across  The Crafters Workshop Blog  post by Patty using black gesso and texture paste on these little miniature works of art.  I have left her a thank you for the inspiration. Firstly, I need to dye the tea bags.  I only had the square bags on hand.  I placed 4 of the tea bags into boiling water into a cup (just like making a very strong cup of tea) and left them to steep through.  When I decided they were ready I carefully opened the bags and disposed of the tea onto the garden and then I put under cold water to remove any remaining tea.  I then allowed them to dry.  I loved the r...

There is currently a challenge over at White with 1 challenges  - white with Midnight Black and to use one of more of stars, frames or black pen.   Here is what I created: Why you might ask "has she forgotten to add a photo"....no that is the actual photo I got when I took a photo of the full moon/lunar eclipse on 26th May this year.  There were so many fabulous photos taken by others and posted on social media but mine...well!   And to think I stood outside in the cold to get this photo. Earlier in the night there were stars in the sky so my layout references that time. I used a very old piece of black spotted paper, to represent the moon, and Thicker alphabet from my stash  I used a star stencil with Black Gesso to create the small stars and die cut the larger stars. Thank you for looking, Margaret Added 15 August, 2021: I am excited to say that I won a Guest Designer spot on the September White with 1 challenge blog - so getting my ideas together - ...

Kaszazz recently released a set of 4 animal skin stencils.  I was able to to create with them pre-release and here is what I created with the Snake, Giraffe and Leopard skins, there is also a Cheetah skin:  I put out a request to my friend Kathy in Detroit, Michigan to take some photos of animals in zoos near her as I knew I would not be heading to a zoo anytime soon.  Kathy will shortly be starting as a volunteer in Detroit Zoo once they re-open following Covid restrictions.  Papers and stamps are from Kaszazz Resort collection. Close up of Snake skin page. Close up of Giraffe skin page. This card of a Snow Leopard was created using the Leopard skin stencil. The stamps are also available from Kaszazz - Leopard and the greeting is from Party Animal Uncut set (5 stamps). Remember as a Kaszazz consultant you can order from my website  www.kaszazz.com/cart?consid=110787 .  All orders over $99 will be delivered free to your address.  Don't like on-line con...

 As I mentioned in my previous post that I was inspired by a card I created that - here is that card I was inspired by a card that I saw on U-Tube created by Lisas Stamp Studio - I have left a thank you on her post. Once again I have used paper and stamps from Kaszazz Home Sweet Home collection. The stamps I used are Watering Can and Word Montage - Card Quotes (7 stamps).  I have coloured the image with salcohol markers. This is one of the cards that the ladies in the card class that I lead at a local community group will make tomorrow. I was inspired by this card to create the interactive layout (see link above) - using the card as I guide I got out my papers and rulers to make the layout.  Thank you for looking, Margaret

For sometime I have been wanting to design an interactive layout.  I recently made a card (that I will share later) that provided the inspiration for this layout. This looks like a single page layout, with a tag for journalling....but open the flap under the triangle top right and you have space for more photos. I have used all products, available from Kaszazz.  I have used papers and embellishments from Home Sweet Home collection, Butterflies embellishments and twine. Thank you for looking, Margaret 

This week has been and continues to be a week spent indoors.  I have had a rotten head cold and together with this a rather long case of sinus.  Today, feeling a little better but my sides hurt from coughing and still some sinus issues.  Now, enough about me and here are the two cards I designed for my class that I lead at a local community centre. I have written previously that as a Kaszazz consultant I have access to a range of cards and projects created by other consulants.  The creator of this card design was Anne Avery and it is on page 37 of the current Kaszazz catalogue.  It uses one of my favourite papers and stamps from Serendipity collection. I was searching the web when I found many references to a technique called Eclipse.  I decided to use this technique on this card. You first die cut your die onto the background paper and then die cut several more on to, in my case, white cardstock - I cut 4 additional dies, which are then glued together and ...

One more post for today.  Here are 2 cards I have made recently following the new release of Papillon Collection by Kaszazz.  One of the benefits of being a Kaszazz Consultant is that I can be inspired by other consultants - these cards were inspired by those created by Natalie Pecovnik.  I made a few small changes to the colours and patterned paper I used. If you are interested in purchasing the stamps used, they are - Grunge Background and Mini Words of Wisdom.  The die is Layered Butterfly.  It is not obvious in my photo, but the butterfly is layered over vellum.  You can order these from my website  www.kaszazz.com/cart?consid=110787   Thank you for looking, Margaret

Yesterday I participated in a Biggest Morning Tea (BMT) event.  BMT is a community event that raises vital funds to make a big difference for those impacted by cancer.  The event I attended was organised by one of the community groups where I lead cardmaking classes.  Here is a card I designed especially for the day. I set up a table and participants could join me and make the card for a gold coin donation.  I supplied all the materials to make the card.  Several non stampers joined me at the table to make a card.   The card background was made with Distress Oxide Inks - Wilted Violet and Squeezed Lemonade or Dusty Concord and Fossiled Amber. The two colours were wiped across a clear acrylic block, water mister applied and then put face down onto watercolour paper.  After a quick zap with the heat gun, the stamped images were applied.  Then it was applied to background mat (they had a choice of colours in yellow, purples or black) and then to...

One more post for today,  each Team Training Day (TDD) there is a challenge set by Kaszazz to use products selected by them. The challenge for this TDD was to use anything from the Game On collection.  Other products in the catalogue could be used however the Game On collection must be used. Here is my challenge entry  I designed and created 3 cards that celebrate the spirit of Australia and its people, especially those in country Australia.  The papers and greetings are from Game On collection and the 3 main stamped images are from the Flora and Fauna collection and they have been coloured with watercolour pencils. Thank you for looking, Margaret

I was thrilled to be able to hold a Team Training Day, today,  to introduce the new Kaszazz collection to team members and customers can attend.  These are my layouts and cards that were designed by Robyn Owen - each participant pays for receives a kit that allows them to make these, including instructions. Also, I created the following.  The first is a collage of scraps of paper I had left over with stamps, stencil and chipboard from the collection.  The photo, was in a suitcase of photos, that belonged to our uncle and was given to us by his wife following his death.  It contained a lot of family photos and our father was alive at the time and he was able to identify many of the people in the photos.  However, this one I cannot find any reference to - on the back it has a photographers mark in Lismore, and to my knowledge we had no relatives in Lismore area.  I love the photograph as it appears to have been painted with colour as was done in the past...

 Here is a layout I have completed for a challenge over at Unmistakable Creations on Facebook. The challenge was to use these papers created by Melissa the owner of Unmistakable Creations.  I had to download them from the website  and print on white cardstock.   Our mother passed away in 1974 at only 49 years of age.   My memories are strong of the short time that we had with her.  She was a constant inspiration, her life was plagued by ill-health but she always managed to bounce back with a smile and an overwhelming desire to get in the car and drive again.  I do not have many photos and those that I have are gradually being put onto scrapbook layouts.  This photo is of my parents wedding day in 1948 as I could not find a suitable photo of just Mum alone. Anyway, it is apt as both of them helped me to be everything I am today.  Our father passed away in 2007.   The layout uses two stencils available from Kaszazz - Rose an...

    I recently posted photos of my recently published scrapbook layout and pocket pages.   For my two card classes that I lead at two community groups I demonstrated the background technique I used - and I have called Confetti Cling Wrap technique.  Above are some of the cards the ladies made - unfortunately I did not photograph them all! Greeting is from Kaszazz Nostalgic collections and inks are Ranger Distress Oxide inks Thank you for looking, Margaret

 Yesterday, I created a paper bag journal.  Please settle back as I show you the individual pages.   Front and back pages.  After folding, I then gathered together bits and pieces from my stash to make the individual pages.  There are pockets, tags and even a small note book I made with papers I used on one of the pages. I have learned a lot about making journals from creating this little book - I went for pages that were fairly much the same size.   I started with a small white paper bag that I used to make the cover and then decorated.  I used thread and needle to sew the pages together.  Maybe next time I will use many paper bags to make the journal.   Thank you for looking, Margaret

Each month Kaszazz has a challenge for its consultants - the April challenge was to use the Feathers metal embellishments. I was overjoyed when I was asked to submit my entry for possible publication onto the Kaszazz website...imagine my excitement that it was published yesterday. Distress Oxide Inks - Wilted Violet and Peeled Paint Feather Die and Stamp Combo - Tribal Feathers  Embellishment - Feathers (6) Sticky Gems - Pearls Purple Organdy ribbon Random Acts stamp (from Spring Meadow collection) Picture Perfect stamp (from Spring Meadow collection) These are the days stamp (from Spring Meadow collection) SB Pages - White - 12 x 12 250gsm SB Essentials - Plum SB Paper - Nature Lover - Messages and Nature Lover - Strips Thank you for looking and also thank you to my family members for allowing me to use their photo on my creation, Margaret