A Touch More Australiana

Last month I shared some cards using images available in the fabulous Australian Themed stamp sets, exclusive to Close To My Heart. Today I wanted to share a few more with you. Outback Adventure would have to be one of my favourite sets in this series, the art work is based on our Aboriginal style dot paintings which is  recognised globally as unique and integral to Australian Aboriginal Culture.

I have created a series of cards combining this stamp set with the lovely Balloon Ride Paper Pack. While the theme of this paper pack is far removed from Outback Australia it is amazing what can be created with a little random stamping and some sponging of ink. 

 

 

I recently shared this idea of altering paper at some Consultant workshop events and the instructions for the card can be found on my Facebook Page. If you would like to learn some more innovative techniques using ink you are welcome to join me at the Gippsland Paper Craft Fun Day/Workshops during the last weekend of March. If you live in the Traralgon, Morwell, Warragul or Leongatha regions email me at lotfam@iinet.net.au and I will pass on the registration details.

 

Make your Projects Sparkle

Today I wanted to share with you another card I created using this month's Stamp of the Month - using more of those lovely Jubilee Papers combined with a bit of glitter and sparkle. The flowers were created by stamping the heart images onto the printed paper and then cut and layered to form petals. Each petal was embellished with some Bitty Sparkles
and Black Jewels. The black trim was created with thin strips of Black Glitter Paper - such a pity it doesn't show up in the photo because it really does "sparkle"!

Remember this stamp is valued at $24.00 but is yours in March for $5 with a $75 qualifying order. I know it will make you "happy"

I also thought you might like a "peek" at a project I have worked on this week which is now taking pride and place in my study....it simply makes me HAPPY!

The wood grain paper is one of my favourite papers in the Timberline collection and I love how it made my Bracket Frame  look like it was actually made of real Timber, a little ink sponged around the edges helped to give it a  more  rustic feel.
The flowers were cut from the Lollydoodle and Skylark papers and all the finishing touches came from my "treasure chest" of embellishments - Storyteller Charms, Black Flourishes, Flamingo Dots and Wooden Shape Trinkets/Z1844 - all topped off with a title from the Artbooking Cricut Collection. I cut the title out 3 times and layered the 3 pieces on top of each other,  just to add a little more dimension.

At Close To My Heart there is always something to make your Projects Sparkle - check out the gorgeous embellishments in my Online Shop -  use them in your creations and share them on my Facebook Page I'd love to see your projects shine.

March Stamp of the Month

Happy March and Welcome to the 1st day of Autumn! I have anxiously been waiting to share this month's Stamp of the Month from Close To My Heart with you. When I first saw a preview of this set I knew instantly that I was adding it to my personal collection - apart from collecting lovely stamp images I collect wooden dolls. I love my Kokeshi Dolls and I have collected other cultural dolls from my overseas travels. Although I have never been to Russia, an authentic Babushka Doll is on my wishlist, but for the moment I am happy to settle for these cute images from the Happy Place stamp set.

You can add this set to your stamp collection too - and as the flyer mentions... purchase it for $5.00 when you spend $75 or more in my Online Shop. Once I starting creating cards with this set I just couldn't stop LOL! - here are 3 of my favourites that all feature the Jubilee Paper Pack. I thought the primary colours in this paper pack were simply perfect for the Babushka Doll images, they have a great cottage folk feel about them.

The design patterns are also great for paper piecing and there are some wonderful motifs and titles that can be cut from the paper designs too - my little stitched pennant shapes were cut direct from the paper and added a nice finishing touch to my card.

I love how all the Close To My Heart products co-ordinate so well. The blue striped paper I used to paper piece my image comes from the Ariana Paper Pack, the button embellishment from Balloon Ride Assortment, the hearts from the Jubilee Complements with a little added Paradise Assortment Baker's Twine  - doesn't it all work so well together? I embossed the Cranberry Cardstock with one of the newest additions to our range the Dot Embossing Folder.

The heart images in this card also come from this month's Stamp of the Month, and they are ideal for creating Mother's Day cards. This card is based on Pattern 28 in Volume 1 Make It from Your Heart "how-to" Idea Book. I just rotated the pattern and added in a 3rd square and as you can see I also drew inspiration from the ribbon embellishment.

I'd love to show you these cards and my other creations using this fabulous Stamp of the Month  if you would like to see them in "real life" or other stamp sets in our range please feel free to contact me and we can organise a stamping play date together.