Sunny Sunflowers

Ah, old stamp sets ... I scored another rather old set again just recently - this time we have Sunflowers (the last one was Morning Glory). I sat down to do some stamping on the weekend...

...was disappointed by my first results ...

...went and looked at some other examples on the internet...

...tackled the project again...

and came out really happy!

Here's what I made:

I've used the big sunflower stamp (each piece of the flower is in two parts, hence the two colours). I've also used masking to get a texty background, and "spattered" it with a texture stamp. I'm rather fond of it!

Now, what's that oval shaped decoration at the bottom - it's a bit plain, isn't it? Shouldn't it say "Hi There" or something?

Well, I'm covering up Something New that I got my hands on (legally!) at the Stampin' Up convention. I get to play with my Something News for a while before I'm allowed to show them off. So there!

Love your work ... umm, what's your name?

Just cleaning out the funny photos on the camera phone - you know when you just have to take a snap?

The one is from the streets around my office. This talented guitar star is working hard to make a name for himself. Awesome poster. If I can ever manage to read his name, I might just look up his music.










Here, I'll help you...

Honestly, artists have to work together - the dude who makes your poster needs to be communicating too.

And if you think I'm odd, getting upset over typefaces, try googling Avatar and Papyrus. Whoo-eee.

Not the sharpest hammer in the box...

The genius who thought this sign up was obviously not having a great day... I saw it at Woolworths at the Glen. Sausage rolls were reduced to $1.99, down from (I gather) $4.29. Pretty great saving - I'd say it might even be UNDER half price!

A very girly web site

I had to enter a CAPTCHA today to sign up for a new web site. Well, it IS a site mainly for women, but I think this is taking it a bit far.

Whoooo's that?

I had the pleasure of going to the Stitches and Craft show for a Mothers Day treat. Lookee at what I made! It's an owl! A knitted, cable stitch owl! At the show, there was an emphasis on actually making stuff, rather than buying stuff and not using it... so visitors got to make, do and try things. I also made a little book, and a bookmark (with real truly live sewing).

And I'm writing this on the little laptop, as a proof of concept. Cos I'm going away for a few days, and I just have to stay in touch, hey!

Help! Somebody give me a kick!

Well, I have an important craft project to work towards... the Stampin' Up convention is on in Sydney in about two weeks, and I want to make swaps (a big bundle of cards, all the same, to swap with other demonstrators). They need to be fun and cool, and better than anyone else's (which is saying a lot, so I generally don't worry about that last one).

Problem is, I can't seem to get started on this rather serious task. I've been into the craft room regularly.

So far, I've:




Added to my small painted canvas...


















...contributed to world Peas...
















And introduced Bunky the Art Sparrow to the new bird punch that everyone loves so much. He wasn't impressed.




Which is great, but I'm still no closer to making 30 or more smart and swappable cards. Can somebody give me a sudden burst of inspiration?

My usual technique is to flip the dictionary open, and let the word my eyes fall on guide me. You're allowed a few goes if you don't like your word, but no rigging it!

So if YOU could send me a word, I'd be very appreciative.

Wooden Stamps and Free Stencils

There's been excellent pickings at the Trash and Treasure markets lately - lots of new, interesting art supplies turning up. I've scored a LOT of paintbrushes (just as well, we all use them, and we do like a selection).

But there has also been these two wooden stamps, a brass tree stencil, and a fabbo plastic stencil.

I tried it all out on a small canvas ( I know, the trees don't look right, do they? Next rev, as we say in the computer business).

Oh, and that plastic stencil with the two big flower shapes. They cost around $6 from Costco. They come with a bottle of excellent juice sticking through each of the flower shaped holes! That packaging is just too nice to throw away.