Competition

Lorelle sent me over this link to enter a competition where you had to use alphabet stamps. So here's my card that I made.

If you'd like to enter click here

http://inkurablestampers.blogspot.com/2009/03/theme-for-march-is.html

But be quick it closes the 31st March.

Great Nephews

Well last Sunday was the first of the scrapping afternoons held at the Neighbourhood Centre and it was a really good chance to catch up with some people I hadn't seen in a while and I even got a page done. The venue has made a quite a difference with air conditioning and the lighter tressle tables, much easier to pack up. If you are interested in joining then pop over to http://www.simply-crafty.blogspot.com/

The page I did was of Eli and Declan, two of my great nephews. Don't they look gorgeous?

I Opaled the brads just like the previous post and I used one of the journalling stamps to write the information on.

Hearts

After playing around with the small heart brads I thought I would see what I could do with the larger black and white hearts I had.

The easiest one I did was simply to stamp a small design on to the white heart using black

Staz On ink. I used a clear polymer stamp and the result was OK but I'm going to have a try while using a firmer rubber stamp to see if it makes a difference.

Number 2 was done using the Adirondak Inks as in the previous post. This time I found it a little difficult to get a smooth coverage as the inks wanted to "ball up" on the slick white top. What I did in the end was apply some heat before and after each coat.
Number 3 and again my favourite was using the Opals in Macquarie and Eureka Gold. First I heated the brad then dipped it in Macquarie, shook off the excess and applied heat until it melts then dipped it again and applied heat. Once it melted I quickly took a few pinches of gold and sprinkled it on top. Depending on how hot it is the gold will simply dissolve or you may have to apply a little heat.

Born again brads

Well as I was busily trying to come up with some new cards yesterday and searching my brads for the "perfect" one the thought came into my head, why not alter some you've already got. I'm sure we've all bought packets of mixed brads and used half while the others languish in the container or been given or won some that really aren't quite us but we can't bring ourselves to throw out or pass on.

So with that in mind I chose a plain gold heart brad and tried three other products to see what results I got.

1. The first was using a Staz On ink pad, using my tweezers I "pounced" it up and down on the ink pad a few times and then got a cotton bud rolled it on the ink pad and then applies that to the sides to get an even coverage. I then hit it with the heat gun (applied heat....not actually striking it) to really dry it and did the same thing again.

2. The next one was with the Alcohol inks and the applicator tool. I placed a felt piece onto the tool added a couple of drops of alcohol ink and again "pounced" onto the brad and making sure to cover the sides. Let it dry a little or apply some heat and then do a second coat.

#TIP Put the drops of alcohol ink close to the edge of the felt as it makes it easier to run it around the sides.

3. And the last one was using the Opals.... this was my favourite result. Pour some Opals into a container (enough to provide a good depth) pick up the brad in your tweezers then apply the heat tool to the brad. After approx 10 seconds (trial and error) put the brad , flat side down into the Opals, you should have a good coverage of Opals when you lift it out. Give a little shake and then heat it until it melts. I did this twice to give a really nice coverage, just experiement and see what depth you want. Don't forget to roll it around the sides as well.

#TIP When you are applying heat use tweezers or pliers to keep your fingers out of the way. Try to keep the brad flat as when the Opals get very hot it can "slide" off especially once you've done 2 coats. You want to heat it until melted not boiling.

30% off all chipboard, wood mounted stamps & 50gm Opals

This coming Sunday 15th March I'll be at the Bundaberg PCYC craft markets and I've decided to make it a little more interesting by having a 30% off sale.

It applies to the original price on all chipboard, wood mounted stamps and the 50gm Opals. Now stocks are limited on the stamps, Opals and some of the chipboard so if you want to make sure you don't miss out then go to the website http://www.lornabluestudio.com.au/ decide what you would like and then email me with your order helen@lornabluestudio.com.au .

I'll put it aside for you to pick up on Sunday (I'm inside the hall along the back wall.

If you can't make it to the markets on Sunday let me know and I can arrange a time for you to pick it up from me at home.

I'd really appreciate it if you would circulate this around to any of your friends who might be interested. Hope to see you there.

Anyone for Hoola Hoops?

A few days ago in the local news they had a story about using hoola hoops as exercise but unfortunately I only heard the last part so I don't know if someone is teaching these classes or they were just highlighting a new fad.

Does anyone in the Bundaberg area know because it looked like a fun activity I'd like to try?

Feb ATC swap

The theme for the February swap for the ATC group that I belong to was JAV. Which is the name of the group (it's made up from the first initial of the three ladies who started the swap) and it was the first anniversary so we had to make 3 cards with each one representing a letter. Eg J=jade, journal,jewel, jet A= aqua, aquamarine, V= victorian, velvet,violet etc. These are mine and they went off to a lady in Finland.

Beary nice

Well I know it's been a few weeks since Valentines Day and I have to admit we don't take it too seriously but we do exchange cards. Anyway this year the newsagence (I made Malcom's and he bought mine) had a competition going and he won this bear. Ahhh how cute.