The Cardsmith

A GLIMPSE OF AUTUMN

2009-09-26T10:51:00.001-07:00

This card uses an old Script stamp of mine. I love script stamps, they come in very handy, especially the ones you cannot read, as they are very versatile. This one has been brought to life using Glenda's meadow stamps also using one of Glenda's many butterfly stamps.

Stamp onto glossy card using a black Stazon pad. When dry, blend over the card using a trusty flannel and dye ink pads in your choice of autumn colours. I have used Adirondack colours "Red Pepper" and "Pesto" together with an old stamp pad with no name in bright yellow. This has been matted on black, gold Mirri and orange cardstock and yes, I have also found more unopened stamp pads!

GONE TABLET MAD

2009-09-26T10:31:00.000-07:00

This card uses just the tablet stamps from the We Three Kings unmounted themeplate. I started with 8 x 8 cardstock covered with a piece of chocolate embossed paper, gold and black card matted and layered.

Stamp 9 times on black card using a Versamark pad and large tablet stamp. Cover with bronze embossing powder and heat, then assemble on card. Take small tablet stamp and stamp 4 times, again on black card but this time, emboss in gold. Assemble on card and, to finish,pick out the dots on the tablet stamps and highlight with bronze and gold Pearlydoodles.
Until next time, regards Elaine.

HI I'M BACK

2009-09-19T05:27:00.000-07:00

Not been well over the past few months, to and fro between the doctors and hospital and no longer able to do my day job. So, lots of time for play and "Colouring In" as my husband would say.

Well I've had a good root round my craft room to see what I've forgotten I had. To my surprise, some of the stamps I've bought in the past have not even come out of their packaging! (Tut Tut)

So I've decided that, instead of buying new I'm going to give my old ones a new lease of life. I'll post them up over the next few days. Hope you like them. But for now..........................................

GOING BACK TO MY ROOTS

So, here they are, the very first stamps I ever bought ( are you ready Glenda?)

Drum Roll.................................................................

The Romance Set, still available from Graphicus, and I'm sure I still have the videotape of Glenda demonstating them on Create and Craft all those years ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!

( Might have to dig that one out...............)

These are very beautiful and detailed stamps, which need the correct stamp pad to bring out the best of them.

The next three cards show how these two stamps can be used.

I have used Stazon in black on glossy card and used Versafine in black for matt card stock. Then just colour washed with a piece of soft flannel rubbed over Adirondack ink pads using oranges, yellows and blues. The other stamps used were "We Three Kings" and "Wild Meadow" both available at Graphicus.

Regards,
Elaine

Bird Song

2009-05-17T13:31:00.000-07:00

A canvas using the Live out Loud Themeplate and Stampboard.

Butterfly flutterbye

2009-05-17T13:23:00.000-07:00

A sample using the Butterfly Poppy collage themeplate and the Grungy Brocade themeplate.

Garden Renovation

2009-05-17T12:24:00.000-07:00

A bit of a garden renovation has been going on this week (in between buckets of rain falling). After almost 1 year I took the decision of having my eucalyptus tree cut down by 25ft and having my 2 cherry blossoms cut right back, which although very sad has made a big difference, and has let much needed light back into the garden.

I have to say gardening is a big passion of mine and can over take at times ( a bit like card making!). If there is a bit of soil showing something gets stuck in it. My garden tends to be very green and, apart from the summer, when the roses, lilies and peonies are out, the only time I have colour in my garden is in early spring, with the lilacs, cherry blossom and magnolias. The maples have a beautiful colour in autumn 1 bright orange and the other a deep crimson red. It only lasts for a short while, but it is quite stunning. This year, however, is going to be a bit different ( methinks!). My cordyline has produced 3 large flower shoots. The last time this happened was over 4 years ago and only produced one. They are beautiful, the perfume is unbelievable and scents the whole of the garden. On further inspection 2 more of my cordylines have also produced flower shoots.I am so excited, I never thought I'd see any more after such a long time.

Regards,

Elaine.

2009-04-11T05:34:00.000-07:00

P.S. By the way meet the girls, Tammy and Cindy (What a dog's life!)

Beautiful morning, up at 4.00 am as usual but no work to go to. I have had a few days off this week along with Chris my hubby hoping to get the garden sorted for (hopefully) a beautiful summer. However The rain has put an end to that plan but today was lovely, and at 6.10am we were able to climb up on the shed roof and waterproof a part that was causing problems with damp much to Mr & Mrs Blackbirds disapproval who had set up home in the bush next to the shed. However I have been forgiven after feeding them and the babies, they have 5 in total, a copious amount of mealworms. Anyway have to go now, Mr & Mrs Bluetits nest box needs painting.

Well I hope I am up and working on the website and I hope you like what you see. All I can say is that I will do my best.

Enjoy your Easter Weekend.

Elaine

2009-01-01T04:54:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I am not one for making New Year Resolutions mainly because I made them and always broke them the same day. However, last year I made one resolution and, very chuffed to say, have kept it.
This year I'm going for two. One is personal, the other I can share with you, and that is in 2009 I intend to hit the ground running. Included in this is to become more organized (now if my husband reads this he will howl with laughter). I intended to make this a New Years resolution all by itself but after second thoughts decided to include it within my main resolution. So hit the ground running starts here. New Year's Day with my first ever blog and Glenda dragging me and finally kicking me straight into the 21st century.
Although it's New Years Day,this might not hit the screen for some time as I am still not sure what buttons or keys to push! But bear with me and hopefully you'll find out a bit more about me, my family, how I got into crafting. I hope you like my work and that it may spark ideas for your craft work, whatever that may be. Well, that's all for now.
Regards Elaine
I think it's this button! ( click ).