40th Birthday guest book

I made and bound this book for my friend and colleague Deborah for her surprise 40th Birthday party to pass around and allow her guests to write something meaningful for her.

I used a coptic stitch in sage and stamped the front of each signature with various lovely vintage images, like bird cages, a lovely filigree heart, a tree, butterfly flourish, chandelier etc.

She loved the book and has it has become a wonderful memento of the occasion for her.

Playtime with Kasha

Last weekend I enjoyed a wonderful visit to Queensland to catch up with my arty friends. During my stay with Kasha, we found time to play and made these cards using some new stamps. We thought it was time they got inky! The houses are from Crafty Individuals, the wording from Hero Arts and the the others from Art Journey. Thanks Kasha for a lovely weekend with you.

Serviette card.

These were made using a lovely serviette I came across and are my latest cards to swap with my dear US card swap pals. The disk stamps are from Inkadinkadoo and the centre letter from 7 Gypsies. With some leftovers I made an ATC using a lovely stamp from Alpha Stamps.

Quirky Birthday art for Gaye

I'm not sure what Gaye really thought when she unwrapped this quirky doll, but she was sure fun to make. She is probably almost 30cm (12 inches) high and her "backbone" is a vintage tradesmans' rule that my friend Judy bought for me at a local market. The face is a jar lid, the middle is a belt buckle, with the round centre a children's game piece. The rest are bits and pieces I've been hoarding for some time and finally came in handy.

Next US swap ready to go

Well, I just had to play with some new stamps and decided to use them together in the one card. The background consists of Dressmaker tissue paper adhered to dictionary paper, then gesso applied over top. Finally, a thin layer of Golden fluid acrylics swipped across in pinks and golden tones. A tab was added as well, since it arrived the same day and just had to be incorporated into the card somewhere. This was such a fun quirky card to make and just adore my new supplies.

New Years' US card

This was a fun quick card and I made several of them, most with Australian bird stamps. These all flew to my very dear US card swap pals who many have been exchanging with me since the mid 90's. The leaves were coloured with a green metallic gel pen.

Waxed Christmas Cards

The card on the left was made for my mother, and the other for my friend at work. I applied wax with the iron for a smooth vintage look and feel.