I need some time

This is the first time I have done a personal post, my posts are always about cards and my craft. I thought I would let my followers and friends know what is going on in my life.
In the last 3 months my life had a very abrupt change. Most of you were somewhat aware I went into hospital, I spent 6 weeks (yes weeks, not days) in hospital as I was very unwell. A couple of days after I got out of hospital my husband asked me for a divorce.
Since that day about 6 weeks ago, my home has been for sale and we have dealt with real estates and lawyers. I had to pack up 1/2 my craft room so it looked at least a little neat and tidy and we have had several viewings for potential buyers ( thus the reason for a neat and tidy stamp room). I have also been out and about looking for a new place to live. The rest of my week consists of medical appointments, lawyer appointments, appointments dealing with all the Government Agencies and filling out their paperwork ( I'm sure some of the forms were the same only they call them different names, probably trying to trick you into making a mistake. If it wasn't so annoying It would probably be funny.)
My husband and my teenage Son are packing up to leave next week and I too have started to pack up. I have about 5 weeks until I have to be out. We were married for 21 years so there is alot of stuff to go through.
As you can see I have a lot going on in my life at the moment, cardmaking and blogging right now are not my priorities. Thus the 'need for some time'.

To my fellow DESIGN TEAM members and owners, I apologise as I can not do this right now. The computer is packed up and i have just got a new laptop which is as foreign to me as another country. I need time to learn how to use it. Time I do not have at present.
If you can be patient with me that would be great if not I understand completely. Please contact me via email, I do check that every few days, when I can.

Hopefully I will be back soon
Until then
Michelle

Bella Digi Studio's Monday Challenge

This week's Monday challenge over on the Bella Digi Studio Challenge Blog was set by one of our new Diva's, Sue. The challenge... use a girly image. I have chosen one of this month's New Releases called 'Sweet Messenger'. You can find all the new releases and many more gorgeous images HERE

Want to join us in the Challenge? We'd love to see your work

Here's How To Play: To participate in the Weekly Challenge, please create a *new* project using any Bella Digi image following the current week's theme. You must link to your project using the link tool at the bottom of the post on the main Bella Challenge Blog. A winner will be chosen via random.org and that person will receive the blog candy listed in the challenge post. In addition, the DT will choose their favorite three projects from all participants and ONE winner will be chosen to be the following week's Guest Designer. To be considered for the top three, you must have purchased an image from the shop (unless otherwise noted)...however, you don't have to use the purchased image in that week's challenge.

***Prizes can only be awarded if we have more than 5 entrants***

Until Next Time

Inking of you All

Michelle

The Party Animals have arrived

Everyone loves are Party Animal and set one is the first of 2 gorgeous sets. Here is a sneak peek of PARTY ANIMALS 1 from Annabelle Stamps

Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to make a card yet but I will be back later to show one I promise,
In the mean time pop by the other DT's blogs (listed to your right). They have made some great cards for you to look at.

Would you like the chance to win this new set?

Simply 'hop' by each of the Design Team blogs and leave a comment on each.  One of the DT girls has been chosen to pick the winner from those who leave comments on their blog, but I can't tell you which one!

Until Next Time
Inking of you All
Michelle

Monochramatic Magic

Here is another sneak peek for the July new releases from Annabelle Stamps. This set is called Branch Out. I love the simplicity of this set and was able to make each card in under 10 minutes.

Here are my cards, I have showcased several of the stamps out of this set and I hope you like the cards as much as I do.

 I stamped the flower 3 times in Black Brilliance ink and coloured them with a grey pencil. I penned in the dots around the edge to give a nice framed effect. Blackcurrant 3mm metallic Sprinkles were put in the centre of each flower. I added Silver metallic sprinkles on the top right hand corner. the Sprinkles are just gorgeous and are available from Annabelle Stamps
This next card was done in shades of cream and brown, It's hard to believe both these cards were made just using this one set of stamps.

Don't forget to pop by the other Annabelle Stamps Design Team blogs (listed on the right hand side of this post under the Annabelle Stamps logo) and check out their cards. It's amazing how different each card is using just one set of stamps. Like me I am sure you will want to add this set to your collection.

Would you like the chance to win this new set?

Simply 'hop' by each of the Design Team blogs and leave a comment on each.  One of the DT girls has been chosen to pick the winner from those who leave comments on their blog, but I can't tell you which one!


Until Next Time
Inking of You All
Michelle

Annabelle Stamps July Sneak Peeks

Ballerina Rose, doesn't that sound beautiful. That is the name of this new release set from Annabelle Stamps. These sets are available from the end of the month but until then every couple of days you will see sneak peeks of the new sets

 I made 2 cards with this set, both completely different.The 1st one is in nice bright and cheery yellow.

 I have used 3 images from this set and the sentiment is from last months release 'Sentimental Bluebells'.First I stamped the bunch of roses  and the sentiment in Black Brilliance. I coloured with prismacolor pencils I cut out the flowers using the Elongated rectangle from Nestabilities.I then inked around the edges using 'tea dye' distress ink and roughed up the edge with the Heidi Swapp edge distresser.
The yellow panel was done using the small solid flower and the 2 open flowers. I stamped in Versamark ink and then coloured over top with a yellow pearlescent chalk to give the background a really nice shimmer.
I then cut out my green layers (SU kiwi kiss) with nestabilities. I layered it altogether also using kiwi kiss ribbon. The sprinkles I used were lemon and they look fabulous.

This time I went with traditional pink. The paper for this one is from Papermania and is just gorgeous. I embellished it with flowers and sprinkles from Annabelle Stamps.

Would you like the chance to win this new set?

Simply 'hop' by each of the Design Team blogs and leave a comment on each.  One of the DT girls has been chosen to pick the winner from those who leave comments on their blog, but I can't tell you which one!
So go take a look at some fabulous creations using the newest set from AnnaBelle Stamps - Ballerina Rose :)  You have until our next preview in two days - 17th July 12.00pm AEST.

Until Next Time
Inking of you All
Michelle

Bella Studio New Releases

Today there are some gorgeous new images to have a look at  over at Bella Digi Studio's on line store,
I have chosen the all new  Sugar Balloon for this weeks challenge card. Isn't she sweet?

The challenge this week over on the Challenge blog is to use distressing on your card. There are a few different types of distressing so which one was I going to choose to go with my image ...UM?  In the end I went with the rough distressed edges of the paper. I started off doing the edges with my (very short and broken) fingernails but that didn't give a rough enough edge so I pulled out my Heidi Swapp distressing tool. A much better result.
The paper I used this week comes from Basic Grey 6x6" paper pad and all cardstock is from Stampin Up. I coloured with Prismacolor Pencils blended with odourless Mineral spirits.
 The sentiment 'Surprise' is also from Bella Digi Studio

Until Next Time
Inking of you All
Michelle

Say it in... Chocolate and Orange

Yummy, doesn't this sound great chocolate and orange. That is the colour combination for this week's Annabelle Stamps Blog Challenge. Most of us took it one step further and decided to stretch the imagination to Christmas cards in Choc and orange.
Here is mine... it is also the spotlighted card this week.

 The idea for this card from my Secret Sister group, last month we had to make a nine panel square card.
I simply stamped the holly branches all over the light orange card then cut it into 1" scalloped squares, I then mounted them on the various brown and the darker orange layers.
This (I have said so many times) is my favourite Christmas stamp set, You can do so much with it.
Here is the set  called Holly branch and a few cards I have made previously with it.
You can buy the set Here at Annabelle Stamps

 

How SWEET she is

I have fallen in love with Sweet Pea rubber stamps. They are just so beautiful and such a joy to colour.
The girls at my local stamp club saw me working on this one so I thought I would show you all the finished card.
First I chose the designer papers, these ones are from the Utopia range  by Kaisercraft, next was matching cardstock (all Bazzill) I then coloured the mermaid to match.
I have used Prismacolor Pencils blended with odourless mineral spirits.
When I start out making a card I never have a plan in mind it just kind of happens. This one was very basic.

Until Next Time
Inking of you All
Michelle

Create with Chalk

Today's blog challenge at Bella Digi Studio is to use chalk on your creation. I have chosen the image called Yorkie. I have coloured him using the pearlescent chalk pastels by i-kan-dee. They are simply gorgeous and add lots of sparkle.

 I simply printed him out on ivory cardstock and coloured him (maybe it should be her) with some white and grey chalk with a touch of pink. Blue and green chalks are added around the image to make it stand out a bit more and to give some depth.

The base card is ivory and I just added  black and grey layers of cardstock. I embellished the card with some natural twill ribbon printed with little paws.
The 'gimme hugs' sentiment is also from bella digi studio and was cut out using nestabilities.
This week's monday challenge has a sponsor and a great prize to give away Here are the rules but you need to link your card to the challenge blog HERE

Here's How To Play: To participate in the Weekly Challenge, please create a *new* project using any Bella Digi image following the current week's theme. You must link to your project using the link tool at the bottom of the post on the main Bella Challenge Blog. A winner will be chosen via random.org and that person will receive the blog candy listed in the challenge post. In addition, the DT will choose their favorite three projects from all participants and ONE winner will be chosen to be the following week's Guest Designer. To be considered for the top three, you must have purchased an image from the shop (unless otherwise noted)...however, you don't have to use the purchased image in that week's challenge.

***Prizes can only be awarded if we have more than 5 entrants**

Until Next Time
Inking of you all
Michelle