Summer Fun

This weeks Pollycraft challenge is 'fun in the sun' so I got out this super Chester image:

Hi

This cute panda image was last months DigiStamp Boutique freebie.  It was great to use- just a little shading and way you go!  I have again challenged myself to 'step' out of my comfort zone a little and try the Retro challenge for the week.

Bubbles of Friendship

Sad news on Friday- the Craftbubble forum will be shutting down as of the 23rd August.  For the August CMLI challenge Lauren therefore changed the theme to be 'bubbles' in memory of the friendships we have all made over the last few years.  CMLI will hopefully continue as a mixture of the Purple Clubhouse blog and a new CMLI forum on CBII.
This is my card for Lauren's challenge:

Four Christmas cards in a day!

OK, I might have overdone it a little, but I decided that I had better make a start on my Christmas cards.  This is the simplest card of the day, but I quite like it all the same.
I will enter this into this weeks Cute Card Thursday (anything goes) and Digi Sketch (anything goes) challenges.

Holly Rudolf Challenge

This months CMLI Rudolf challenge was set by Lillian and the theme was holly.  I used my new Memory Box holly die to cut out loads of little holly leaves and berries to stick round my circle and make a frame.
I will enter the card into this months Ready Teddy Go challenge (diecut or punch).

O Christmas Tree

This weeks ABC Christmas challenge is 'O' Christmas Tree.  I have used another of the Christmas Bobbi images on this card along with my new snowflake die and new polka dots embossing folder (love it!).
I will enter the card into this weeks Sweet Sketch Wednesday challenge and this months Ready Teddy Go challenge.

Bear-y Snow-y

I just love the 'Bobbi' character at the moment from DigiStamp Boutique and bought the very newly released Christmas set of images.  I used my new Memory Box snowflake die on this card for the first time too.
I will enter this card into this weeks Sketchy, Di's Digi (stitching), Cute Card Thursday (anything goes) and Digi Sketch (anything goes) challenges and this months Ready Teddy Go (dies of punches) challenge.

Robot Birthday

I bought some of the new Pollycraft images the other day and this is the first time I have had to use them.  I also broke open one of my new paper packs on this card.
I will enter the card into this weeks I Love Promarkers (mechanical), Sketchy (sketch), Cute Card Thursday (anything goes) and Digi Sketch (anything goes) challenges.

Little Things Week 3

It's week three of the 'little things' summer swap challenge and Clare made a video this week on making a mini easel card to put inside our little boxes.  One of the little mirrors which came in the kit was used on the card.  As normal I have 'modified' the procedure to fit the stash that I have.  Notably, I don't have any stencils and so 'made' one from acetate and my die cutter.  Sponged through distress ink in pink and then stamped in black with one or two of the number stamps that I acquired yesterday.  On top of that, the stamping in silver and blue, was done with slightly older stamps (OK who am I kidding- the banner/pendant stamp I got last week).  The silver strip is an old hair band that I cut up and used the flowers off years ago and the sequin ribbon I have had lying around for *years*.

Thanks Clare for such an inspirational project.

Is it Christmas today??

It feels like Christmas today at any rate!  I went shopping in the Kaisercraft outlet store in Geelong before I left Australia and sent a few things home my sea mail (not just craft things- I couldn't justify the expense just for craft!).  It arrived today!!  The box was really battered up.  I wish I had taken a photo now. Never mind. I was too excited to rip it open and be reunited with my belongings.
These are my Aussie buys:

Normally being a frugal person, I think I have enough stamps and brads there to last me the next 10 years!

These things came on top of a bit of retail therapy that I did yesterday (and spent more than I would normally do) at the Glitterpot:

How was that for service too- next day delivery!  (Had to wait 3 months for the stuff from Geelong- Ying and Yang in terms of delivery speed I guess ;-).)
Anyway, this little lot will keep me happy and busy for a while.  Anyone want to come 'play' this weekend?

A little journalling

Clare has been doing a series of online tutorial videos since the new year, introducing those of us who normally just make cards into the realm of art journalling.  I did the first and then missed a fair number when I was in Australia.  This is my take on lesson five:

I did things a little backward in terms of the method since I don't have all the materials.  Specifically I don't have any acrylics and so made the background using water colours on water coloured paper.  Then I put a layer of gesso on top.  This was followed by some stamping with Martha Stewart Stamps (last year's birthday present to me from Clare- thanks) in Stazon black ink and a new ink pad I brought the other day- a pearly blue one which I like :-).
A bit of relief from a glossy grey paste stuff that I had in my stash and never really used.  Printed off a photo I took at the butterfly museum in Stratford the other day (my friend's hen do) in greyscale, stuck it down and added some sketching.  The quote was one I found online and printed off.  The final touch was a spray of silver glitter varnish, that again I have on the shelf and hardly use.
What do you think?
Clare's video is here.