August Crafting

Well August was quite a busy month for me as I not only attended a couple of workshops but also decided to become an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. It's something I had been considering for some time and when Robyn (my upline) mentioned it to me I was ready to take on the challenge.

This was an interesting card workshop which mum and I attended at Robyn's. It was called 'Stamp A Stack' where we made 5 cards using one sheet of paper which we decorated ourselves with stamps.
The following two cards done at one of Robyn's advanced card workshops.

At the two initial demonstrations which Robyn held for me at home everyone got to make this cute truffle box. Everyone was thrilled with their efforts.

This 'Bag in a Box' was one of the first workshops which I ran at home myself. We made them as an early Father's Day gift.
These three cards where what we did at Robyn's regular card workshop.

These were the cards which we made at my first Card Workshop. I CASEd one from Robyn's workshop but changed the colours to a black & white theme.

August Ramblings

I bought a new dog in August - from Australian Working Dog Rescue. She is just beautiful ... Kelpie with a bit of Cattle Dog. Such a wonderful temperament. She settled in really well with the other dogs .... Heinzie who we took in when Mum and Dad moved into a retirement village and couldn't take him with them and Coco .... who we've been looking after for nearly 18 months while his 'parents' are travelling.

Charlie .....................
Charlie sooking up to Graham ...............

We had interesting visitors last week. These Spoonbills were around for a few days before heading off. We have had them drop in once before but they aren't regular visitors.

The wattle is in full bloom at present. They are such beautiful flowers ... like 100s of little pompoms all clustered together.
This is one of our eucalypts which is flowered at the moment as well.

July Cards

I haven't been doing much craft this month as my hands have been flaring up again however mum and I were able to attend a couple of workshops at local libraries.

These were the cards which I did at the Deception Bay Library card making workshop.
Then I attended a card workshop at the Caboolture Library where we made two Christmas cards.
I loved this one with the sponging and then embossing on the bauble.

Storey Brooke Cottage

Mum and I had a wonderful day at Storey Brook Cottage with my sister and niece. I love going to this garden cafe / coffee shop as the setting is so peaceful and relaxing. Their gardens are just beautiful with lots of quirky sculptures and other things hidden in different corners. It's one of those places where you can visit many times and still find something new.

My Cards

These are some of my cards.

With this card I used acetate and then layered card. The blue was embossed with dots and then the next layer was cut using the Top Note die.

Card Morning at Burpengary Library

In April Mum and I went to a card workshop at the Burpengary library which was taught by Jane. It was a very enjoyable morning. The cards we made were quite basic but showed how you don't have to make elaborate cards for them to still look lovely.
This is the group of 'crafty' ladies with some of our cards.

Kate's 18th Birthday

On my nieces 18th birthday mum and I met with Kate and her mum at Cafe Tara at Strathpine Shopping Centre. If you happen to ever be at Strathpine I can recommend this Coffee Shop for their lovely meals and coffees.
The "Birthday Girl"

Card Morning at Di's

Another card morning with Jenny .... this time at my friend Di's home. Here is one of my favourite stamp sets used again. The white card has been embossed with roses using a lovely die which is used with the BigShot.
I love learning new techniques. This was sponging again however we used a shape which had been scalloped on the edge and then sponged over it to form the clouds. An ink pen was used to colour the tree as well instead of a ink pad.

May Cards at Deception Bay Library

In May we again attended a workshop at the Deception Bay library which was run by Robyn. Another very enjoyable morning.........

This card Mum and I had made previously at a make and take which Robyn held at her home however it's a lovely card and we were more than happy to make another.
I always love distressing card whether it's scrapping or card-making. I love the grungy look that it gives the paper. This time we used a different technique with inking the stamp using the main colour on it and then daubing the second over the top.
The following card was interesting with the way the card was die cut one way with the BigShot and then put sideways and die cut again.

Card Demonstration at Home

Not only have Mum and I been attending card mornings at the libraries but Jenny ... the lovely lady who takes the classes at Caboolture library came and gave a class at home. Jenny also demonstrates Stampin Up and these are the lovely cards which we made on this morning.

This would have to be one of my favourite stamp sets. I have seen so many wonderful ways it has been used. With this one we used the pens to ink the stamp before placing it on the card. I love the soft washed look which the flowers have.
Embossing and sponging were different techniques which we used for this card.