Unusual visitor to my craft studio

Today I got not a skerrick of crafting done, but it was a very interesting day. My craft studio is located under my house and is my little haven. This afternoon I had been in it cutting up some card and sorting out an upcoming Bluecare class. I decided to call it a day and was about to slide the door closed when I wondered what had just gone across my foot. I looked down to see a beautiful snake slithering into my room. Yes he was beautiful I'm not sure exactly what type of Python he was but something like this.

My first thought was what could I use to get him out. Second thought was, don't be silly, if you leave he will go somewhere and then you won't be able to find him. So I grabbed the phone and sat down and kept watch on his slithering movements and rang my friend. I asked her to ring me as soon as I hung up so that my husband who was upstairs, would answer the phone and she could ask him to come down. She did.

My husband came down and moved the fridge, yes, Mr Python had slithered under the fridge. He wasn't happy at being found so slithered across the room trying to find another place to hide. He was amazing to see as he was sooooo long when he was all stretched out about 6 feet. My husband picked him up, and put him in a polystyrene box. He was then taken up to the local park and released. A much better place than my craft room.

I know many of you will think this would have been an awful experience. Far from it, I was thrilled to see such a beautiful creature close up. Mind you Red Bellied Black or Brown snake and  I would not be saying this.

More little gals

Having a bit of a creative urge at the moment so have made a few quirky cards. It's quite weird when I get in the "zone" the entire room goes quiet and I can't hear a thing. I think this is part of working on the right side of our brain. It is a great feeling, does anyone else ever zone out when they are creating?

The first little gal has hair made from the Heart to Heart punch. The next one I pleated her skirt with the Scoring board, Argggg very fiddly. The next one I made her overalls and then dropped ink on the waist so had to give her a skirt as well. I actually think she looks really trendy. A happy accident I say. The last one I was making a scallop waistband but it didn't look right so I ended up making it into hot pants. I love her boots.

Here they are completed.Sorry the images are a bit blurred as I had packaged them up before I took the photos.

Then I decided to change tack and make a little lady so here she is too. As you can see I was on a roll.  Not sure I am happy with her but one of the family will appreciate her.

Children's holiday class only 2 spots left

The Children's holiday class this Wednesday morning is nearly full. If you had been planning on your kiddies attending, you will need to let me know so I can prepare the kits.

We will be making 3 projects, two of them using our cute little Owl punch. My grandchildren have already had a sneak peek of the projects and squealed with delight.

Class details
Date: 8th January 2014
Time: 10am
Place: 13 Rosella St Wellington Point
Cost: $10

Another My Digital Studio - PCCCS074

We all wish for health and wealth for family and friends and sometimes don't always get what we wish for. Happy New Year to everyone, and may all your wishes come true in 2014.

Happy New Year to You and Your Families!
We had a very low key New Years Eve with the kids; Twilight Zone Marathon.
- See more at: http://thestampcamp.com/blog/#sthash.LJjlrWxy.dpuf

Happy New Year to You and Your Families!
We had a very low key New Years Eve with the kids; Twilight Zone Marathon.
- See more at: http://thestampcamp.com/blog/#sthash.LJjlrWxy.dpuf

Happy New Year to You and Your Families!
We had a very low key New Years Eve with the kids; Twilight Zone Marathon.
- See more at: http://thestampcamp.com/blog/#sthash.LJjlrWxy.dpuf

Today is the sketch challenge at the Paper Craft Crew and I have decided to do another MDS card.

Happy Birthday Little Lady

One of my special friends had a birthday recently. She is special so I had to make her one of my  special Little Ladies.

She has a beautiful voice so my lady is holding a sparkly microphone. The dress top is made from one of our paper Doilies. Also a little piece was used for the cap. The background was made from Espresso Coordinations card. She loved it and I loved making it for her.

Birthday wishes

A good friend turned 75 and so a special card was in order. Isn't it funny how you can make heaps of cards to choose from but it never seems to be the right one. Well in this case I made two that I wanted to give her.

I gave her the Crumb Cake 75 card. What one would you have given her?

Charity Craft and Gift Fair

The Craft and Gift Fair is on today. Don't forget to come say Hi! to me and support a very worthy cause. You will see some lovely things to buy for Christmas and if you want to get your hands "dirty" there are 6 tables of workshops going all day.

So come on along to the Belmont Service Bowls Club Narracott St Carina. Doors open at 9am the entry fee is $6.00

Christmas Card Charity Workshop

I am very excited! It is that time of year again for our annual Christmas Card Charity Workshop. It is held at many locations and at different dates so there should be a date on your calendar that will suit. Those that have been before know what fun the day is and know what we are supporting with this event. If you are new and would like to know more about the charity we support, head on over to the  Footprints Program page and read the article Liz Collett has written.

As Liz says "whilst a footprint record may seem like a small gesture, it is a meaningful record that can be shared, as grieving parents come to terms with their loss."

I will be at both the Canossa Kindergarden Coorpooroo  venue and the Wellington Point Venue.  You are also able to attend any of the other venues but I may have another demonstrator looking after you if I am not able to attend that particular venue.

The day runs from 10am to 4pm with a break for lunch in the Bistro (please BYO cash for your lunch) and the afternoon tea will be provided. (Please note: Canossa Kindergarden does not have lunch facilities so you will need to BYO)

If you have any questions at all please contact me on 0402441964 or email zenakennedy@lizzy.com.au
I am taking bookings and payments starting NOW! So book in ASAP to reserve your spot. Bookings will close 2 weeks before each event to ensure enough time to order all the materials.

Please note: Pine Rivers Venue is now Pine Rivers Bears Rugby League Club, Petrie

September Class - Background technique

Put your hands up if you don't seem to have enough time to get everything done. I have both mine up. I seem to be chasing my tail the entire time. I have heaps of things to update you all on, so keep coming back to see what is next on our busy agenda.
This months card classes are all about background techniques. You will incorporate sponging, stamping and bleach and make three lovely cards.

This class can get quite messy so please make sure you are wearing something that you will not be concerned about getting any bleach on.

September classes – Please BYO basic tool kits and adhesives
Wednesday 11th - 10am
Wednesday 11th - 7pm
Friday 13th - 7pm

Please RSVP by email or mobile 0402441964 so that I can prepare the kits

Mens business made for womens fun...

Bet that title had you guessing! Just me trying to be a bit clever, not sure if it worked but ah well, let me explain.
My dear husband was being installed in his club and part of that installation was for his wife to provide the activities for the morning. To me the best activity when you don't know everyone very well is card making.

I decided to use the Tag It stamp set as Stampin* Up! donate $3.00 to our Ronald McDonald House for every stamp set sold. My thought was that each person make two cards. They keep one and then give me back the other so that I can pack them up and give them to Ronald McDonald House. Everyone thought this was a great idea and some even donated both their cards. This has made me think about having a few sessions of card making and also donating them to Ronald McDonald House in the future, so stay tuned.

 

Also I decided to make Thank You cards for everyone that attended. As it was a Tuxedo event I thought a card with a Tux on the front would be perfect. I made 90, and everyone loved them.

 

Make a Statement Digital Tour Brisbane

Another wonderful event by Stampin' Up! I have just come home inspired and ready to play after attending the Make a Statement Digital Tour Brisbane "Un convention".
For those that love the feel of paper and card, and have the need to add bling and glitter everywhere, working digitally may seem a bit dull.

Well, it doesn't have to be, for the ones that like plain and simple then a card or scrapbook page can be created in a jiffy and then printed out. However I am one of those that loves adding embellishments. This is still something that can be done but the bonus of My Digital Studio (MDS) is that the stamps can be manipulated to a bigger or smaller size and so can the punches. Actually anything can be manipulated. Once a project has been created then it can be printed out and then the embellishments can be added. What a way to have your cake and eat it too!! Love it.

Now you might think MDS is only for making cards and photobooks. Not on your nelly! Check out all these cute ideas.

 

 

Having a party? Print out the invites, bottle labels, cupcake toppers, lolly bags etc

How fun is that?

 

 

Planning a wedding. Why not be individual and creative. Make your own invitations, matching place names, bonbonniere and  wedding favours. Create a guest book for the day and Thank you cards. Wow, wouldn't that be a money saver?

 

 

Then of course everyone has baby showers. Aren't these ideas cute.

Click on image to enlarge

Click on image to enlarge

 

 

Gosh I could ramble on all day about the great things you can do with MDS. So if you are a touchy feely person like me, have a go at MDS and be surprised and delighted. There is a FREE Trial that you can download, find out how useful it can be as an added tool for your hobby.

Buy 3 Get 1 FREE Offer

Check out this great promotion that Stampin' Up! is offering till the end of August.
 
Collect a paper stash for every creative mood and project. Feeling cool and eclectic? Check. Need something bold that’ll pop? We’ve got you covered.
 
During our limited-time offer buy three of your favourite packs of Designer Series Paper and then choose one for free—so your paper stash will be ready for any mood that hits.
 
See your options on pages 151, 153, and 154 of our annual catalogue!
*Designer Series Paper Stacks and Specialty Designer Series Papers not included.
 
I'm pretty keen on this one it has a kind of grungy look that would look great as a scrapbook page or a masculine card.

Soho Subway Designer Series Paper

 

June classes now revealed

Now that the excitement of Convention is behind me, I am finally able to reveal the class you shall be doing in June. Drum roll please.....
It is the One Sheet Wonder. For those that are not familiar with this technique, it is a page that you create yourself by stamping randomly on card. Then the fun bit is cutting it up as backgrounds for your cards.
In this class you will complete 8 cards. It is a great way to get a stash of cards quickly.

June – Please BYO basic tool kits and adhesives
Wednesday 5^th - 10am "To be advised" One Sheet Wonder - $20
Wednesday 12^th - 7pm "To be advised" One Sheet Wonder - $20
Friday 14^th - 7pm "To be advised" One Sheet Wonder - $20

Because of all the advance preparation for this class I will need to know if you are going to attend.

Please RSVP via email or phone to book your place.

April classes

Another month just flew by, oh my goodness Christmas will be here before we know it, yikes. I hope you all had a nice few days with family for Easter. I ate far too much chocolate and enjoyed every mouthful.
I thought I'd post the dates of classes for the next 3 months so you can update your calendars. I have some interesting projects planned for us and the children's classes.

The April class will be showcasing the Masking and Reverse Masking technique and a Mother's day card. You will also be sponging and I will introduce you to the "Sponge Dauber".  I am really looking forward to using the beautiful Swallowtail stamp for one of the cards.

Like the sound of the classes but can't make the dates?
Why not have your own special class. Gather 3 or more friends together and I will come to you.

April  – Please BYO basic tool kits and adhesives
Friday 12^th - 7pm "Mothers Day and more" $10
Wednesday 17 ^th - 7pm "Mothers Day and more" $10

May  – Please BYO basic tool kits and adhesives
Wednesday 1^st - 7pm "To be advised "
Friday 3^rd - 7pm "To be advised"
Wednesday 29^th - 10am "Childrens holiday class" $10
Friday 31^st - 10am "Childrens holiday class" $10

June  – Please BYO basic tool kits and adhesives
Wednesday 12^th - 7pm "To be advised"
Friday 14^th - 7pm "To be advised"

Christmas in July

Stamp a stack - $20.00
Get a start on those Christmas cards before it’s too late! Come along and produce 9 gorgeous Christmas cards using a range of techniques and of course a sprinkling of glitter. 2 of 4 designs and one special, that's 9 beautiful cards in all, envelopes are included. Places are limited as I like a maximum of 8 people per class so that each person gets my attention. If you can’t make the dates shown and have a few friends give me a call and I can come to you at no extra cost. Starts at 7.00pm
One of the stamp sets I am using is Welcome Christmas, if you have this stamp set please bring it with you. It will help to speed things up.

Please bring your basic kit (adhesives, trimmer, scissors).

Dates:
Wednesday 25 July
 Friday 27 July

email me zenakennedy@lizzy.com.au or phone 0402441964

Reason to smile

I don't need much of a reason to smile as everywhere around me I see plenty of reasons to smile. My lovely husband sitting beside me. New flowers coming up in the garden. Dinners with my children. My cat Gus chatting to the new neighbours cat Ginge. Yes they really are chatting. My interpretation of their conversation goes something like this.
" Hi I'm Gus, you must be new here? You are gonna love it here as my parents are crazy about cats"
 "Yeah, hi my name is Ginge short for Ginger and I can see I have a soft touch in that lady that keeps coming out and trying to pat me".
"Yeah that's my mum Zena you think she is a soft touch, well wait till you meet my dad"
"Oh great I think I'm gonna love this neighbourhood, see ya Gus"
Anyway that's what I think they are saying.
These cards are made using the Reason to Smile stamp set. I am finding so many uses for this set.

Cardstock: River Rock, Very Vanilla, Whisper White

Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Tangerine Tango,  Early Expresso, Old Olive

Baker's Twine: White

Stamp sets: Reason to Smile, Fabulous Phrases,

Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Whisper White

Ink: Melon Mambo, Tangerine Tango

Organza Ribbon: Tangerine Tango

Stamp sets: Reason to Smile, Short and Sweet

Punch: Bo Ho Blossom

Embossing Folder: Stripes

Big Shot

This panel card was taken off a similar card I received at convention. I just changed the flowers to use the Reason to Smile set.
Cardstock: Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Whisper White
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Soft Suede
Organza Ribbon: Lucky Limeade
Stamp sets: Reason to Smile,
Embossing Folder: Square Lattice
Big Shot

Sneaky peeky

I'm only going to show you a teaser at the moment. One of the Paper Angels has asked if I could make her a card for her auntie's 70th birthday using one of my little ladies. Of course I am always excited about having another reason to come up with something a little bit special for someone.

The snippit you can see is using the Reason to Smile stamp set. I just cut out some of the petals so that it looked better in her hand. The hat plumage is made by using the Crumb Cake seam binding ribbon and pulling the threads. I have also designed the background using the methond I saw at Convention. If you look carefully you may recognise the corset as part of the DSP called Attic Boutique, from the Autumn Winter Mini Catalogue. All I did was make sure I drew my little girl large enough to fit her corset.Don't you just love that paper?

The hat is made using a circle punch with a piece taken out, Crumb Cake and Pool Party cardstock. Finished off with a wee pearl. Now I can't show you the rest till I have passed this card on for the birthday girl so you will just have to stay tuned.

If you would like to receive a free Autumn Winter Mini Catalogue, just email or call me on 0402441964 and I will post one out to you.

Convention background

While at Convention one of the Workshop WOW's presented by Liz Hicks was a special background. Now that we are back home Ursula, one of our Paper Angels tried it out and created some georgous scrapbook pages. So I have decided to give it a go myself and make some unique cards. I chose Vanilla card stock. Then I randomly sponged on Calypso Coral, Old Olive and Soft Suede all over the card. Next I rolled over the card randomly with the Jumbo Stampin Around. Then I stamped again randomly with  bleach and a background stamp and then filled in a few spots with a smaller stamp.

Card stock: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Whisper White
Tools: Big Shot, Designer Frames, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Jumbo Stampin Around
Ink: Old Olive, Soft Suede, Calypso Coral, Rich Razzleberry
Ribbon: Crumb Cake Seam Binding

Invitations to 'owl about

Ha ha bet you wondered what you were looking at with a title like that. I was just trying to be a wee bit creative. I made these invitations for a very sweet little one year old.

Isn't it just the cutest. I really love the Builder owl punch. Of course I couldn't just hand them over in a plastic bag so I decided to try and recycle some of our yards and yards of brown paper that we get with our packaging. I made the paper bag and then using the Simply Scored plate I scored and pleated the top of the bag and then pulled it together like a fan. Then with the Big Shot (did I mention I love my Big Shot) I cut out some flowers from the Fun Flowers Bigz L die and added to the front.

Card stock: Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Early Expresso, Whister White
Designer Series paper: Pocketful of Posies
Tools: Owl builder punch, Big Shot, Fun Flowers Bigz L die, Paper Crimper

More little ladies

Liz Collett had made some cute wall frames using the Attic Boutique Designer Series Paper (DSP). the paper is so lovely it doesn't really need anything else BUT as I am in this crazy little lady faze, I suggested they could look nice with a little lady on them. She asked me if I could do that for her. So this is what I came up with.
The hair was cut from the Attic Boutique Designer Series Paper DSP as well. It was just a matter of finding the right piece that looked like curls. The dark haired girls were cut from Early Expresso card. The blue flower was cut using the scallop circle and then used the faux suede technique.
The pleats on the red skirt was created using the crimper, spritzing with water and then shaping it. I had to add the sliver of Early Expresso to make the bodice stand out.

The face and skin uses First Edition Specialty DSP. The dress was  Attic Boutique DSP from the Autumn Winter Mini Catalogue