Dec 31

Happy New Year!!

An hour before we say good-bye to the current year here in Australia, I’d like to share a New Year’s card. That, and a little reflection.

It’s been my first full year with you, my dearest readers, and I hope there will be many more. It’s been one of my happiest years ever. I enjoyed my time as a mother tremendously, as I was introduced to a different, deepest kind of love. One that only a mother can experience… now that we are planning on another baby, I feel like I’ve got so much love to share.

I’m still kinda new to Australia, and I’m learning it on a daily basis. Being challenged constantly to using foreign language & facing different customs, also missing Poland and my family, I feel that in the end this year gave me more strength to deal with the obstacles.

Also, I met more wonderful people online, that I ever had the opportunity to meet in person. Some of the online stamp buddies I got to meet in real life too, and I couldn’t be more thankful for this amazing opportunity that life gave me.
I have a strong sense of belonging to this big AMAZING family of paper crafters. I’m thankful for you all so much, for how you encouraged me throughout the year, and that you chose to accompany me on this journey.
If you take a look at my posts from the same time last year, you will see how much my style and my skills evolved. I learnt a lot, and again I owe it to my dear stamping friends, whose blogs I spent reading for countless hours 🙂

Summing it all up, I want to thank you wholeheartedly, for shaping me as a crafter. Without you, believe me, none of what appeared on this blog would ever happen. I {heart} my stamping friends!

But! I’ve still got this card to show you, and it’s a special one. It features a digi image that yours truly designed!
I needed to make New Year’s cards for a couple of my Japanese friends, and to do this, I needed a bunny/rabbit image (2011 is the year of the rabbit in the Japanese culture, and such images prevail in their New Year’s cards).
I came out with the idea of a baby boy in a bunny suit, since I always loved these, and I thought it would be also a good image for Easter. How do you like it?

Supplies: cardstock: recycled kraft, Papertrey Ink (Rustic Cream); paper: Pink Paislee, Basic Grey; stamps: digi image by me, Papertrey Ink; ink: Versafine (Onyx Black), Papertrey Ink (Tea Dye Duo); Copic markers; grosgrain ribbon; lace trim; Nestabilities Circles; buttons; string; glitter glue: Reeves; white gel pen; chipboard: Fynmark

I used again the Card Patterns 96 sketch for my card, along with the colours of PDCC62:

I hope you enjoyed tonight’s post 🙂
I’m wishing you all a wonderful, happy New Year, and a fabulous day/night today!! (whether you’re celebrating or not - me & hubby are going to have a leisurely, family evening with a movie :D)
{{HUGS}}

Dec 31

ABS Bling Sketch Challenge

Hi inky peoples, it’s time for another Annabelle Stamps sketch! (ABSC033)

Suplies: cardstock: Stampin’ Up! (Daffodil Delight), American Crafts, white; paper: ChatterBox; stamps: Annabelle Stamps (Diva); ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black), Versa Color (Celadon); Copic markers; Olive Sprinkles; Nestabilities Circles, Scalloped Circles; sewing machine; satin ribbon; grosgrain ribbon: Sullivans; Glossy Accents by Ranger

Here’s the fun sketch!
( I paired it with the colours of CC303: Old Navy Delight)

You’ve got a full month to play along, and by participating in any of our challenges for the month, you’re in the running for a gift certificate to the Annabelle Stamps web store!
Also, When you enter any of our challenges through the month using an AnnaBelle Stamp and upload it to that months challenge file in the Gallery you could be one of our Guest Designers!
If you decide to play along, you can link up your creation in the ABS blog.
Have fun 🙂
Happy New Year!!!

Dec 30

CASE Study Challenge #20

For today’s TSG Blog Hop Challenge, please click here or scroll down. Thank you!

Well, I’m happy that after a week’s break, we’re back on track with CASE Study challenges! Woohoo!
This week’s inspiration comes from our December Muse, Nina Brackett, and it’s sadly her last week with us. What an exciting month it has been! Thank you for your magnificent contribution Nina, and for inspiring us all!

Apart from a magnificent background builder stamp set from Annabelle Stamps - Backgrounds By Design 2 (it’s at 15% off now, people! Make sure you’ll grab on while the offer us still on), I also used a brand new There She Goes stamp set called Love Birds. This set is being previewed today by the Trendsetters, and we are hosting a Blog Hop where you can win yourself a Love Birds set! Read all about it here on the TSG Blog, or scroll down for my TSG Blog Hop post.

Supplies: cardstock: American Crafts, white; stamps: Annabelle Stamps (Backgrounds By Design 2), There She Goes (Love Birds); ink: Versafine (Onyx Black); Copic Markers; wrinkled ribbon; sewing machine; decorative brad: Creative Charms

My sketch comes from SC313, and my card also goes to FTTC98, which is to use pearls (got one!)

I’d love you to check out what the rest of the fabulous CASE Study Design Team prepared for your viewing pleasure this week:

Amy Wanford
Andrea Ewen
Cristina Kowalczyk
Jean Martin
Julie Smith
Lenet Mos
Melyssa Connolly
Sue Kohler
Teneale Williams (taking a few weeks off)
Nina Brackett - December Muse

If you’d like to play along with us, hop over to the CASE Study blog, where you’ll find all the details, fab inspiration and Linky tools to link up your creation!
That’s all from me for now, thank you so SO much for paying me a visit, and all your fabulous comments 🙂

Dec 30

TSG Blog Hop Challenge - Sentimental, Love Birds

Welcome to the Day Three of TSG sneak peeks!
Have you come here from Holly’s blog? Perfect!! If not, but you’d like to join in the fun, head on over to the TSG Blog and start from the beginning.

“Sentimental” is a must-have set for any card maker! A combination of type print and the scriptive handwriting of our very own Julie Lacey are showcased beautifully. These sentiments are not only versatile, but can be also used for everyday creations.

Sentimental is a 2×6 mini set that includes a total of 6 stamps and will sell for $7

For my sample, I paired the “Love you” sentiment, with the charming stamp from the Wonderful Winter Wishes set, that we previewed on Tuesday.

Supplies: cardstock: Papertrey Ink (Rustic White); paper: Echo Park Paper, Basic Grey; stamps: There She Goes (Sentimental, Wonderful Winter Wishes); ink: Distress Ink (Frayed Burlap), Papertrey Ink (Tea Dye Duo); Copic markers; crocheted flower from PixiePetals; baker’s twine; lace trim; sewing machine; Nestabilities Circles; button

I played with the CPS155 sketch, for this week’s CPS challenge, and the theme/colours of TSTR42:

………………………………………………………………………….

You’ll fall love with “Love Birds”. This set, illustrated by Torico, showcases a number of prim-and-proper birdies just dying to enhance your lovely creations. With accents like a scroll-like bird cage, beautiful branch, and whimsical sentiments this stamp set will make your heart got pitter-pat!

Love Birds is a 4×8 stamp set that includes a total of 18 stamps and will sell for $18.

Supplies: cardstock: pre-scored card, American Crafts; paper: Cosmo Cricket; stamps: There She Goes (Love Birds); ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black), Versa Color (Celadon); Copic markers; half pearls; ribbon: Papertrey Ink; lace trim; crocheted doily: Kaisercraft

I used the Mercy’s last sketch on this card (MTSC106) (SO sad!!)

If you’d like to see one more card with the cute stamps from the Love Birds set, check out my CASE study post 🙂 (please scroll up to see it or click here)

Would you like a chance to win the Sentimental and Love Birds stamp sets? Here’s what you need to do- go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their Sentimental/Love Birds Blog Hop Challenge post. After you have finished checking out the eye candy and have left some love, return to the TSG Blog and add your name to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this Blog Hop Challenge post. A winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator to receive their very own “Sentimental”/”Love Birds” stamp set. The winner will be announced Saturday (Jan. 1st) during the Release Party Chat.

Next in the Hop is ‘da boss’ - Jessica! Happy hopping and good luck! xxx

Dec 29

TSG Blog Hop Challenge - Buckets Of Love

Welcome to the Day Two of TSG sneak peeks!
Have you come here from Holly’s blog? Perfect!! If not, but you’d like to join in the fun, head on over to the TSG Blog and start from the beginning.

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, you will definitely want to invest in a stamp set that is not only whimsical, but also versatile. Staying true to Torico’s clean and magical illustration style, this set features a bucket and a barrel that can be filled with all sorts of goodies (and the sentiments are to die for as well)! You’ll enjoy hours of creating and coloring with this fabulous set!

Buckets of Love is a 4×6 stamp set that includes a total of 18 stamps and will sell for $15.

I thought that I’d show you the magnificent Easter stamps that are included in the set… with Christmas behind us, perhaps it’s time to start thinking about these Easter cards a bit earlier this year? *wink*

Supplies: cardstock: pre-scored card, white, Stampin’ Up! (Early Espresso); paper: Basic Grey (Marjolaine); stamps: There She Goes (Buckets Of Love); ink: Versa Color (Celadon); Copic markers; watercolour pencils: Belgrave; blender pen; buttons; twill ribbon; sewing machine; string: Papertrey Ink; flowers: Prima; brad: Basic Grey; Nestabilities Ovals, Scalloped Ovals

I used the MOJO171 sketch, along with the colours of Curtain Call 62:

Would you like a chance to win the “Buckets of Love” stamp set? Here’s what you need to do- go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their “Buckets Of Love” Blog Hop Challenge post. After you have finished checking out the eye candy and have left some love, return to the TSG Blog and add your name to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this Blog Hop Challenge post. A winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator to receive their very own “Buckets Of Love” stamp set. The winner will be announced Saturday (Jan. 1st) during the Release Party Chat.

Next in the Hop is ‘da boss’ - Jessica! Happy hopping and good luck! xxx

Dec 28

TSG Blog Hop Challenge - Wonderful Winter Wishes

Today marks the beginning of TSG sneak peeks of this month’s new releases.
Have you come here from Holly’s blog? Perfect!! If not, but you’d like to join in the fun, head on over to the TSG Blog and start from the beginning.

This first set, illustrated by Torico, showcases some precious images of children enjoying their snowy environment. This set will bring back childhood memories of crisp, fun-filled winter days.
It never fails, just when you think that you have sent out Christmas cards to everyone on your list, you will receive one in the mail that makes you say ‘I forgot to send them one!’. This stamp set is perfect for making cards to send after the holidays to let those people know that you care (even if you did forget to send one earlier hee hee)!

Wonderful Winter Wishes is a 4×6 stamp set that includes a total of 12 stamps and will sell for $15.

Here’s my card… do’t you just LOVE these kiddos??!!

Supplies: cardstock: recycled kraft, white, American Crafts; paper: October Afternoon; stamps: There She Goes (Wonderful Winter Wishes); ink: Versa Color (Umber, Sand Beige); Copic markers; watercolour pencils: Belgrave; blender pen; border punch: Fiskars; buttons; ribbon: Papertrey Ink; sewing machine

…and a simple inside:

I used this cute PPA74 sketch:

Would you like a chance to win the “Wonderful Winter Wishes” stamp set? Here’s what you need to do- go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their “Wonderful Winter Wishes” Blog Hop Challenge post. After you have finished checking out the eye candy and have left some love, return to the TSG Blog and add your name to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this Blog Hop Challenge post. A winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator to receive their very own “Wonderful Winter Wishes” stamp set. The winner will be announced Saturday (Jan. 1st) during the Release Party Chat.

Next in the Hop is ‘da boss’ - Jessica! Happy hopping and good luck! xxx

Random Acts of Creativity

by Iwona Palamountain

Monthly Archives: December 2010

Happy New Year!!

ABS Bling Sketch Challenge

CASE Study Challenge #20

TSG Blog Hop Challenge - Sentimental, Love Birds

TSG Blog Hop Challenge - Buckets Of Love

TSG Blog Hop Challenge - Wonderful Winter Wishes