Done, Posted and Received!

Yay Me!! - I did it! I am 100% super organised for Christmas in just a few short days I completed all my Christmas shopping - wrapped my gifts and placed them under the tree, wrote a Christmas letter for my far away friends & relatives, made Christmas cards and sent them ( I did resort to some store purchased cards too - sorry! ) baked mountains of Christmas treats - Rocky Road, Toffee Truffles, Rum Balls, Apricot Cookies and Gingerbread Men ( to name a few LOL! ) - just some last minute Christmas lunch things to do and we are all ready to celebrate the festive season.

 

Although I felt I had left my card making until the last minute, I am pleased with what I was able to achieve and as those that follow my designs and ideas know, I am a great believer in formula work.....it was why I was able to produce my Christmas cards so quickly. I used the same little elf image for all my cards and even a few gift cards too - his name is Spritz, he  was designed by Krista Smith - Saturated Canary and you can purchase him here. I then kept to the same colour scheme and design formula for each card - the sentiment I varied depending on the card - whether it was being sent to a family or an individual, the font I used is called "Hooteroll" - currently my default font for everything! 

 

Copic Used:

Skin: E11, E01, E00, E000 - Cheeks/Lips - RV2

Wings/Pants: W1, W3, W5 - with some crystalina Kindy Glitz over the top

Hat & Boots: G46, G24, G21 R24, R22, R21

 

 


I do have one more card to share with you, but I will leave that until Christmas Day where I will be posting it in the Mad for Markers Challenge Blog - while the online store Mad for Markers store has closed, the blogs will remain active and they will be a great place to find Copic inspiration.... so be sure to check out what the Design Team post on these blogs to share with you... and my other Christmas Card creation. :)

Wishing my Blogland Friends near and far a wonderful Festive Season - hoping 2013 brings you health, happiness and lots of crafty goodness.

Procrastination Time

Remember in my last post I mentioned I am yet to make my Christmas cards? Well nothing much has changed....I've found myself being distracted during the week by  all sorts of other crafty goodness - yes, I have been doing something from which I derive enjoyment, and thus putting off my priority tasks to later time - I have been "procrastinating" big time!! However, I did manage to finish my Christmas shopping, wrapped it all and now have it placed nicely under the Christmas Tree - that is certainly a first for me. One of my distractions this week was "pinterest" so I have plenty of inspiring ideas for those Christmas cards when I eventually make them LOL!! and I also got distracted creating a little something for Challenge #32 over at the Saturated Canary Challenge Blog - the theme is Chocolate and Marshmallows - I was wanting an excuse to colour up little Miss Latte a generous freebie from Krista during her 12 Days of Christmas posts and she was simply perfect for this treat box project.

Copics Used:
Skin: E11, E01, E00, E000 - Cheeks - RV42
Hair: E29, E27, E25, E21
Clothes: Y21, Y23, Y26, RV91, RV93, RV95

I did a little experimenting with my snowflake embellishments and I was pleased with the result. I punched out the shapes from some blending card - then I coloured them using my Copics ( RV91, RV93, RV95 ). Next I mixed a concoction of Polar White Flower Soft and Diamond Sprinkle Embossing Powder with some Glossy Accents and painted this over the top - it was very messy, but lots of fun.....and  making snowflakes in our hot Summer temperatures also felt a little surreal LOL!

Today happens to be my 95th blog post and it made me think about what I should do to honour my 100th post...seeing it is fast approaching....what do you think of some "blog candy"? I know my followers come from many different papercraft fields - scrapbooking, card making, smash booking, ATC creators, just to name a few, so I thought I would like to offer something suitable for all these mediums. I will put my thinking cap on and search ( and shop - I LOVE shopping ) for some suitable candy and in the meantime you might like to invite your friends to follow my blog while you, yourself, keep an eye out for that magic 100th post.

I think searching and shopping for blog candy is another form of procrastination LOL! - I really must lock myself in my "happy room" and make those elusive Christmas cards!

I will be back when they are done!

Sharing Saturday

I know it is that time of the year where I should be colouring up my Christmas images and getting all my Christmas cards made and sent off in the mail...but it is not happening! - as always, I keep getting distracted with other 'crafty' things to do and December is also a busy birthday month in my extended family so there are cards to be made for these occasions too! I thought I should share two of them with you today, they both use the same image but coloured up with a variety of different coloured Copic Markers. I have used a Little Darlings Stamp by Saturated Canary called "Party Hardy" this stamp is from the NEW release of Saturated Canary rubber stamps and available NOW at Mad for Markers for pre-orders :) Yipee!! You can pre-order your "Party Hardy" stamp here There are 14 stamps in this NEW release and if you are anything like me? - you will have to have them all!! - yes, I am a huge fan of the art work of Krista Smith and I suspect you already knew that, hey?

 

  

Copics Used:

Skin: E11, E01, E00, E000

Hair: E27, E25, E21

Clothing: B95, B93, B91, G43, G24, G21, RV95, RV93, RV91 

 

 

Copics Used:

Skin: E11, E01, E00, E000

Hair: E27, E25, E21

Clothing: R81, R83, R85, V12, V15, V17, B28, B24, B21

 

It is another very "HOT" Summer's day here today, I have settled in under the air-con for the afternoon and intend on colouring up some more images - I might even surprise myself and start on those Christmas cards I keep ignoring! Whatever I ended up playing with or creating today - I promise I will give you a little preview here... so stay tuned and keep cool.

Sketch Challenges

It goes without saying I love creating and using sketch ideas for both my scrapbooking and cardmaking. They are an ideal foundation to begin building your project from....you can use the sketch as your base and from there, just add your own creative flair.

I've spent most of this weekend colouring up lots of different images with my Copics and by lots I mean about a dozen LOL! - my colouring skills have become a little rusty so I need lots of practise!! My Dad called in for a quick visit - he wanted a Thank You card for a friend - "it's for a lady he said and I am sure she would love one of those sweet girlie cards you make" - well I did have the images coloured up, all I really needed to do was turn them into cards...and of course I went to my favourite challenge blogs for inspiration and what did I find?? card sketches - yay me! I used the sketches to create two cards for Dad to choose from and then another for my nieces birthday.

The current challenge at the Saturated Canary Challenge Blog is a sketch designed by Lou and I used the cute little image Thank You to create my card.

Copics Used:
Skin: E11, E01, E000 - Cheeks R20
Hair: E27, E25, E21
Clothing: R81, R83, R85, B93, B95, B97, V12, V15, V17

This sketch was so quick and easy that I reproduced it a second time for a Birthday Card for my niece - the image is another one by Krista Smith/Saturated Canary - it is the original Harley and Haley - it always colours up at treat

Copics Used:
Skin: E11, E01, E00 E000 - Cheeks R21
Hair: E35, E33, Y21, Y23
Dress: R81, R83, R85, BG11, BG13, BG15

I used my Spica Pens (Blossom & Clear) to add some glitter along with a little bit of crystalina kindy glintz - my niece is a girly girly, she loves any thing that glitters and shines!

The other card I made up for my Dad to choose from was one using an image from my collection of Magnolia stamps - this is Tilda with Tulip and the card is based on the current Sketch Challenge at Magnolia Downunder - I love how you can follow a sketch exactly, rotate it or even add your own elaborate design elements and still end up with a perfect project.

Copics Used:
Skin: E11, E01, E00 E000 - Cheeks R22
Hair: E27, E25, E21
Clothing: R81, R83, R85, BG93, BG96, BG99
Socks/Tag: E53, E51, E50

The little tag sentiment uses the font Hooteroll - I have only just discovered it and it is already becoming a favourite - and while on the subject of favourites I have to thank Sammi from Mad for Markers for her prompt online service I now have my Pink Ink refills - not sure I could survive without my R81, R83, R85 - you are a life saver Sammi!!

....and while I am sharing Sketches and passing out a Thank you or two :) I have now completed all my Creative Memories Idea Extravaganza events for 2012 - it was great fun travelling around the country and meeting and sharing ideas with so many wonderful and enthusiastic consultants and as promised here are the last three formula sketches I created for you to share with your friends - enjoy!

I will be adding to my collection of Sketch Formulas in 2013 and as of next weekend you will once again see me sharing ideas on the Mad for Markers store blog....I look forward to "seeing" you there.

Spare Time Creations

.....what is "spare time" you ask? I am not sure I truly know what it means, but I think I found a little of it this past week! ....maybe not "spare" but enough time to dust off my Copic Markers and colour up some images for a little card creating.

I have to be honest, I can't remember when I last coloured just for fun....and I don't know why, I left it so long, it really is therapeutic and good for the soul. So much so, that I am still colouring up a storm and loving every minute of it.

I spent that "spare-time" I found, colouring some of the super gorgeous digital images by Krista Smith - check out her Saturated Canary Shop - I am sure you will love it! If you prefer a little ink and rubber you can also purchase some of Krista's stamps from my friend Sammi's store at Mad for Markers.

It is difficult for me to choose a favourite image from my collection of Digital Stamps but Violet Vintage is certainly one that is at the top of my favourites list - if I was to have one LOL!

Copics Used:
Skin - E000, E01, E11 - Cheeks - R20
Hair/Shoes - E71, E74, E79
Clothing - R81, R83, R85, Y21, Y23, B91, B95,BG93, BG96

This next card I created in readiness for my nieces 21st Birthday in the New Year - it is from the Princess Collection - her name is Rose Red. Challenge #30 at the Saturated Canary Challenge Blog  is all about Fairytales and Princesses and I thought I might enter this simple little creation in that challenge.

and of course she was coloured in pink - my favourite Copic Pinks are R81, R83 and R85 and I have finally had to order refills! - you will notice that these pink colours made an appearance in all the cards I am sharing with you today LOL!!

This little sweetie is called Washi Girl and she was perfect for this card I made for a very special friend. My friend has supported me through "thick and thin" this year....and I am so appreciative on all that she has done. She hears me talking about Washi Tape all the time but I am not particulary sure she knows what it is.....which makes this card very appropriate. I wanted this card to be really simple so little Miss Washi became the focus.

Copics Used:

Skin - E000, E00, E01, E11 - Cheeks - RV42

Hair/Shoes - E21, E25, E27, E29

Top - R81, R83, R85

Pants - B91, B95, B97

My white border was created with the Creative Memories - Border Maker System and I do have to say, that is most definitely my favourite all time tool!!!

The last card I am sharing is called Tourist - I love her hair - I am very envious, I always wanted long hair like that - I so enjoyed colouring it up!

Copics Used:

Skin - E000, E01, E11 - Cheeks - R20

Hair - E21, E27, E29 - and my Dark Sepia - Polychromo Pencil

Top - R81, R83, R85

Skirt - B91, B93, B97

I have coloured up another four Saturated Canary Images already but I probably won't have anymore of that precious "spare-time" until next week to turn them into card creations.

If you are lucky enough to discover "spare-time" over the next few days - I hope you spend it doing something you enjoy and is good for your soul.

Cheers





Simple Card Creations

I love making cards with all my scrap pieces of cardstock and decorative paper and I thought I would share some of my recent creations made entirely from paper, stickers and other "odds & sods" that almost ended up in my recycle bin!! Each of these cards uses Creative Memories products - papers and tools.

This little "chicky babe" was all pieced together with Ovals, Circles and Shape Makers - her eyes are truly scraps - they were created using the dots that remain when you peel the backing paper off the Enchanted Adhesive Ribbon - I think she turned out rather cute!

 



These camera creations were inspired by some paper-piecing ideas I saw on Pinterest - gotta say I love me some play-time on pinterest so many clever DIY projects and inspiring people to be found.

 

I have also started working on some Christmas Cards - never to early to start on these!! I think I have made about 15 or so now but these are some of my favourites and the ones that have been popular at the Idea Extravaganza Events. This one uses the new Be Merry Papers, Title and Layered Stickers from Creative Memories have to say this is one of the nicest Christmas range of products I have seen for a long time - love the traditional colours combined with  contemporary designs.....very nice!

 

....and this is my Mr Claus - again inspired by some paper-piecing ideas I have seen shared out in the paper craft world - this is a fun card for kids to make - I have used a combination of shimmer and embossed papers and on one of the cards I  added some plastic 3D google eyes for effect!

I have also been playing with some other Christmas Craft Projects so if you stay tuned - I will try and get around to photographing them to share here too..... but in the meatime I have some more Idea Extravaganza events coming up interstate that will keep me busy & away from my computer for awhile - but if you would like to follow my "escapades" you can join me at my Facebook page - I would love to have you there.

Sharing Sketches

.....it seems I am continually apologising, for not updating this blog on a regular basis. I assure you, I do try, but as we all know, life gets busy and those good intentions don't always happen. I have been continuing my travels around Australia presenting my sketches and papercraft projects and this past weekend helped co-ordinate my second Virtual Crop for Creative Memories Australia/NZ. I designed another 6 Formula Sketches for this event and once again, I was overwhelmed with the response and also amazed with the beautiful layouts and cards created with them. I have decided to share the sketches here for my lovely blog followers and if you want to see more of my work I have also created a page on Facebook for you to "peek" at - you can find it at ChristinesCreativeCapers

You will notice that the Sketches are numbered from 7 - 12 that is because they follow on in sequence, from the 6 sketches used in the last Virtual Crop.

I love converting sketches into cards - it is like getting double value - this card uses the new Nordic Christmas range of products from Creative Memories. The white decorative trims were created using the decorative cartridges of the Creative Memories BorderMaker System - my favourite tool ever!!

My example of this sketch is a digital layout using the Birdy Birthday Digital Kt from Creative Memories - the colours are perfect for photos and yes, I am an instagram addict!!

I chose to do a traditional version as my sample for this sketch - it was created with the new Be Merry range of Christmas Products from Creative Memories and some cute photos of my friends daughters taken a few years back - they look so cute in their angel costumes. Did you notice that lovely zig zag border? It was created with a new cartridge to the BorderMaker system called Diamond Zig Zag - lots of fun things to create with this one....mine has only been in my collection for over a week and it has been getting lots of use.

I chose the Creative Memories digital kit Timeless Holiday to create this layout and more photos of the very cute Amy - her Mum takes the best photos at Christmas to make their family Christmas Cards and I am so lucky to have he share them with me for my design projects - Thanks Tracy :)

I hope you enjoy having a "play" with these sketches and I will try harder to update my blog more often.

Where Are You??

... I have been receiving some lovely messages from my papercraft friends, enquiring about my whereabouts and since it has been a couple of months since I last posted on this blog, I thought it about time I answer that question.

I have still been crafting but busy touring the country sharing my ideas and designs with Creative Memories Consultants and in a 6 week time frame I was in 3 different states visiting Darwin, Adelaide and Perth - WOW!!  what a journey... I got to meet 100's of ladies preserving their special photos in gorgeous memory books....and this past weekend I helped host a Virtual Crop - it was an event planned in less than 2 weeks and we had over 2000 scrapbookers play along with us....it was heaps of fun and the beautiful layouts shared were absolutely amazing. I designed 6 of my formula sketches for some of the online challenges and I was overwhelmed by the response to them - our participants adapted them in more ways than even I, thought possible....simply stunning work. I have had requests to continue to share them so I thought the easiest way to do that was via my blog - so here they are for you to enjoy!



I am returning!

.....my apologies for the long time between posts. I had no intention of neglecting my lovely readers and followers - but I have been awfully busy with design commitments, birthday party planning and I have been touring the country sharing creative ideas with Creative Memories consultants...it has all been a lot of fun, but hasn't left much time for personal playtime. Despite the fact that I have 2 interstate trips planned in the next few weeks ( Adelaide and Brisbane ) and my daughters 21st Birthday party, I am starting to see "light at the end of the tunnel".....if you can stick with me a little longer I promise to be back blogging real soon and I have a lot many wonderful stories, photographs, cards and layouts to share with you - so yes! stay tuned!!

In the meantime here is a little preview of what I am teaching my Mum's Probus Club ladies - in their craft session this week....my version of the lovely flowerpot card idea which were created to promote the new "Enchanted" range of products from Creative Memories....I also had a little fun creating rosettes out of this gorgeous product too....and this is one of the many ideas I have been teaching consultants in my travels.

I also thought I'd share with you, this photo of my beautiful daughter (whose 21st birthday it is coming up)  and myself taken recently...I am so proud of this little lady and all that she has become - I think I will be shedding a tear or two during her birthday celebrations.

Enjoy and I will be back "chatting" with you soon.

Gorgeous Girls in Green!

....Yes! I know this is my first post for April, but please don't think I have been resting LOL!! I have just been a little behind in some design deadlines - (sadly, for confidentiality reasons I cannot share with you here)....but last week this is the list of everything I completed... 12 Scrapbook Layouts, 4 Cards, 2 Tags, 2 Off the Page Projects and 2 Paper Page Embellishments and this week, the count so far.. is 2  Gorgeous Girl in  Green Cards LOL!!

Both cards use one of my favourite colours - Green - but I seldom use it for anything other than, grass and leaves (when colouring my images). However, one of my "Scrappy Friends" suggested I try using it to colour clothing - I was  very inspired by one of her card creations... so I took her up on the challenge and here are the results.

The stamp is called "Waiting" and is from the Simply Gorjuss range - she was stamped ontoX-Press IT Blending Card  (available from Mad for Markers ) and coloured with the following:
Copics Used:
Skin: - E000, E01, E11 - Cheeks: - RV10
Hair: - E21, E25, E27, E49
Clothing: - Dress: BG93, BG96, BG99 - Jacket:YG93, YG95, YG97 - Tie: Y21, Y23,Y26
Boots: - E25, E27, E29

This card was made using a Saturated Canary Digi Image by Krista Smith - called "Blanche". I used the same colour combination to colour the image and create the card as my previous one of the Gorjuss "Waiting" girl - isn't it amazing how the same design sketch, same colours, same paper can look so different?

Copics Used:
Skin: - E000, E01, E11 - Cheeks/Lips: - RV10 - Eyeshadow: - YG93
Hair: - E13, E15, E17
Eyes: E33, E35
Clothing: - Dress:YG93, YG95, YG97 - Tie: Y21, Y23,Y26
Boots: - E25, E27, E29

I also wanted to share with you, a special little gift that arrived in my mail box this week. My BFF Judy and I, had been discussing the best way to remember all the Digital Images we had been purchasing - when she came up with the idea of creating a little book to catalogue them in.... and that could also be used  as a Copic journal.

This is the little book she made just for me! and of course it is Pink! - if you want to have a little peek at her book  and other journals she has created - check out her newly revamped blog - you will find it here....the books were made using a Bind-It-All and if you want to find out more about them, our friend Karen at scrap2relax will be happy to oblige! ;-) - I am now adding one to my collection of toys! Here is little look inside the pages of my journal....I love the black pages.

I hope you have enjoyed the little catch-up... on my "Creative Capers" and I will try not to leave it too long between posts, from now on :-)

Hugs to All


Love me some Canary Art

...I think I have fallen hugely in love with Krista Smith's Saturated Canary Images - I have been colouring up a storm these past few days and I'm still going LOL!

I completed this Easter project using the very cute Murray - love all the detail in her little stocking legs....the basket was fun to make too! I thought bigger was better when it came to filling it with chocolate... and before next weekend I plan to make few more.

Copics Used:

Skin: - E000, E51, E11 Cheeks RV10

Hair: - E21, E25, E29, E17

Shoes: - Y00, Y08, Y15

Clothing: - R81, R83, R85, B91, B93, B95, Y00, Y08, Y15, YG00, YG11, YG17

Chicken: - E50, Y00, Y17

Grass: - YG00, YG11, YG17, YG45

I did a little experimenting with the grass in this image. At my Intermediate Copic Certification, our instructor, Mandi demonstrated a few different ways to do backgrounds and give our images depth. The "dotting" technique really appealed to me, even though I usually like my card creations clean and simple.

I got a little more adventurous when creating the background to accompany this next card... I used a new image called Blanche....she is a sassy little movie star number. I chose 3 colours from my colouring and "dotted" the whole background....I rather like the outcome and thought it would be a great way to make patterned paper to co-ordinate with my creations - so that is next on my agenda....making my own decorative paper with Copics! and X-Press IT Blending Card (available at Mad for Markers).

Copics Used:

Skin: - E000, E01, E11, Cheeks -  RV42, Eyeshadow - B91, Lips - R24
Hair: - E21, E25, E29
Dress: - R22, R24, R27, W1, W3, W5
Eyes: - E31, E35
Background: - R24, B91, W3

...just a teeny tiny bit of "dotting" on this image, back to my clean and simple format for the heavily pregnant Mrs Ice-Cream and Pickles ....she was such a joy to colour and I kept my card very gender neutral in shades of both pink and blue....I have also entered this card in the Thinking of You Challenge #14 at the Saturated Canary Challenge Blog - I thought it fitted the theme beautifully.

Copics Used:

Skin: - E000, E51, E11, Cheeks/Lips- RV10, Eyes - B91, B93

Hair: - E21, E25, E29

Clothing: - R81, R83, R85, B91, B93, B95

Ice-Cream: - E71, E74, E77, Rv00, RV10, RV21, E50, E51, E53

Cone: -  E31, E35 and brown fine tip pen

Pickle: - YG91, YG95, YG97 - and a few little dots were placed on top ;-)

Cherry: - R22, R24, R27

Here is a little close up pic of both my cards - so you can see the colours a little easier... and don't forget, if you want to add any of the Copic colours, I have used in these projects to your collection, be sure to drop by the Mad for Markers online store.

I created all my own sentiments for these three projects and the font I used was called "Whackadoo" - what a cool name - I love it!

I am off to catchup with my "Scrappy Friends" this weekend - we will be trading our Feb & March ATC's, Copic Colouring, Shopping and generally just having a creatively good time!!

Hope your weekend is fun and full of creative adventure too.

The "H' Party

We have had a fun and very enjoyable weekend, celebrating my nephew's 21st Birthday - it was a dress-up themed event. We were all asked to come dressed in something beginning with "H". Wow! - everyone got into the spirit of the night, and there were some amazing costumes we had Hercules, Hannah Montana, Humpty Dumpty, Highland & Hip Hop Dancers, Helicopter Pilots, Housewives and the list goes on. I have a few photos to share with you - wish I could show you them all... but once again I took 100's LOL!... and it really is impossible to post them all!

This is my family and I - the Hawaiian Tourist, Hockey Player, Hostess and Hippy! - long hair and chockers are not the most flattering accessories for me!!

 ....and from left to right:  my nephew the Hotdog with his mate the Hedgehog, My sister the Hairdresser and her Hooker daughter! and family friends Hannibal Lector and Henry the Octopus - cool costumes aren't they??

and here are some more family friends .... dressed as a Hobo couple and with their very cute duaghter the  Hawaiian Princesss. 

The most popular costume of the night appeared to be all the different variations of  Hippies, closely followed with an array of Hawaiian dressed guests - as I mentioned before, it was a lot of fun and we giggled at ourselves and our silly costumes all night.

The dressup theme also inspired my card creation today - I rushed this card a little but I really needed a little R & R in my "happy room" today, after such a hectic weekend. This is Mod Marci from the La La Land Crafts Stamp range - I thought she had a little bit of a "hippy chick" look to her - she is seated on another La La Land image the Garden Bench....both available at Mad for Markers.

Copics Used:

Skin: E000, BV000, E01, E11, Lips: RV42, Cheeks: R20

Hair: E31, E35, E29

Hat/Boots: V12, V15, V17

Vest: R81, R83, R85

Top: YR00, YR12, YR18

Pants: Grey -  W1, W3, W5

Guitar: Y21, Y23, Y26, YR12, YR18

Garden Bench: YG91, YG95, YG97, E51, E53 E55, E57

I have added some white highlights to my colouring using a Size 0 brush and my new pot of Copic Opaque White.... watch out for white highlights all over my upcoming projects LOL! and while on the subject of upcoming projects...stay tuned....while tidying up my "happy room" today I found a few "treasures" -  a big bundle of stamps I have purchased over the past 12 months and forgot about - they have never used - sad but true!!

Hope you have a wondeful day and I will be back soon to show you my new found treasures!