Two Magnolia Cards- Updated.

Sorry guys, cards now, chat later. Gotta dash!

Well, that was a hectic week, in the end. I'm finally having a rest as it's Sunday morning. Dan is happily playing with his toys and books, and I'm watching a classic Dr. Who, with Tom Baker as the doctor. Bliss.
The two cards are both made with Magnolia stamps. The top one was inspired by an Ismaki sketch, although I didn't finish it in time to post the link properly. The second card was made at a class I took with Isa Norris, and uses the new Magnolia horse stamp, which I love. It also uses a technique I have been interested in for a while, the 'Magic colouring Pencil' technique. It involves using Prismacolour pencils, which are beautifully soft wax pencils, and blending them using odorless mineral spirits, in this case Sansodor. The effect is lovely, the colours just 'pop'. I won't be investing in these pencils, as they are pretty expensive (and addictive- you *need* all of the sets LOL!) but I really enjoyed having the chance of playing with them. I also feel I was a bit more daring than usual with layering up the background papers- note the asymmetry, very unusual for me!

Papers: English Paper Company, unknown
Stamps: Magnolia, Hero Arts, Paperartsy
Colour: H20s, Prismacolor pencils, Distress Inks, Versafine, India Ink
Chipboard: Maya Road (flower), Sizzlit die (corner swirl)
Flowers: Prima

Ismaki Challenge Card- Happy Birthday Mum!

I'm feeling strange and confused, as I show my next Ismaki challenge card, as I almost don't recognise it as mine! Using a sketch is very exciting, as it does make you think in a very different way to how you normally do. To me, this seems quite cluttered, as I have lots of different elements on the card, but actually, now I see the photo, I see how there is a balance to the design. Here is the sketch this card is based on- see what you think!
Inks: Brilliance Pearlescent Lavender, Purple and Crimson (also used to watercolour)
Stamps: Paperartsy, Personal Impressions, Tanda and MSE
Paper: English Paper Company
Other: Zoomz from Stamp Galaxy and ribbon from my stash
My husband is away for part of this week, so I am really hoping that I will get a lot of stamping done after Dan is in bed. I am really inspired by my new Paperartsy stamps so have some plans for those. All I need to do now is persuade my lovely cat to get off my lap...wish me luck!

Challenge Card- Ismaki

More info later- gotta go and swim! (Card challenge here!)

Right, I have finally got 5 minutes spare! Yesterday was so busy, tomorrow will be the same, today I may have to go and have a nap when Dan does! About yesterday's card: the stamps are all Cherry Pie. The centre panel was stamped in Versafine, then watercoloured using Distress Inks and highlighted with Sakura Stardust pens. The background to that panel was stamped using Brilliance Graphite Black (wow, that is black! It's very juicy though, so not good for detail work) and the other two sections stamped in Brilliance Lightning Black. The stars and heart were gold embossed, then I added the ribbon which had the words stamped on it. I may change this as it looked like the right colour at night, but changed completely in the daylight.
It was fun using the sketch, I feel it's a good way to experiment and learn about good placement and balanced design. This week's sketch is now up, and it's another good one!

New Challenge Site.

This week has seen the launch of 'Ismaki', a new challenge blog for us stampers and card makers. It is the baby of Isabelle Norris and two of her friends (both members of the Magnolia design team), and involves using a sketch each week as the basis for your creation. Anything goes except scrapbook pages, as long as you use the sketch. Then there is also an extra option, which you can choose to include if you wish. The challenges are posted on a Monday, and this week's is on the site!
I actually did some stamping this evening, with this in mind, but unfortunately only had 10 minutes to spare, so have nothing to show yet. It depends on my little 13 month old as to whether or not I get to stamp, if all goes well we eat as a family then put him to bed, leaving me with the evening free. Other evenings (like tonight) we sit with him whilst he eats his own meal, then cook and eat after he is in bed. On nights like this we try to cook something quick, so I really only have the cooking time for me. (Yes, my husband is the main chef in our house, and he is sooooo good- tonight we had chicken in tarragon and cream sauce with lemon and basil courgettes. Delicious!) Hopefully tomorrow will be better (I'm cooking, so it's a Provencal-type salad) and I will have some photos to show!
Enjoy your food :-)
PS So many of my favourite blogs have upped-sticks and moved this Christmas so please bear with me until I have sorted out all of my links. Hey, I might even change some of my colours and do a new banner! My treat to me after spending so much (lovely) time with my family this Christmas!