Episode II - Welcome to the major CASE squad

The best craft designs are persued by the detective of the major CASE squad... This is her story

Doink Doink

7 weeks ago Detective Dani was given a new assignment. To create some simple yet different Christmas gifts. Detective Dani stewed this over for a while when she remembered the lovely Joanna Wassens. Detective Dani thought to herself Jo always has gorgeous projects and she is very easily persuaded to give up her ideas, She will be my perfect target.

So Detective Dani went over to Jo's blog for some inspiration and came across some beautiful Magnet Bookmark's. Knowing that this fit the brief Detective Dani knew she had to use her quick wit and incredibly good looks to get Jo to give up her beautiful ideas. Detective Dani read down and found that by just thinking of how to get Jo to confess she already had exposed her secrets and the recipe to make the bookmark. Detective Dani knew it wasn't that easy and knew that there had to be more to it so sent Jo a comment trying to be discrete that she wasn't on Jo's CASE but also to get her to fully expose her secrets.

"Hi Jo,
I keep eyeing this off. It's such a great and simple idea. I am thinking of casing it for my next upcoming demo's. Thanks for the inspiration.
Where did you get the magnets from?? I've only been able to get huge sheets of them!! Please let me know
Dani xoxo"

Detective Dani knowing that Jo will give in awaited a reply and received one only a few days later from Jo advising that she simply recycled old fridge magents. Not knowing weather Jo had just given Detective Dani the key to unlocking all the secrets Detective Dani decided to start making up some prototypes with the plan of keeping Jo in a cell overnight until she gives in if they didn't work.

After making the first prototype Detective Dani knew that Jo had given in to her power's of persuasion and given Detective Dani the key to completing her assignment. Knowing that Jo may suspect that Detective Dani had Copied And Stole Everything she knew she had to disguise the project. Detective Dani looked at her colour Pallete and picked up the Old Olive and Real Red Cardstock and knew that this will give the project that extra touch it needed. To be extra sneaky Detective Dani made a second one by adding her own flair to the project. She then knew the CASE was complete and submitted her project to Senior Constable Karl for approval. Knowing that he was also memerised by Dectective Dani's beauty and wit he approved the project by saying "My darling they are beautiful".

The first prototype using Jo's design cleverly disguised with Old Olive and Real Red Cardstock. Detective Dani also used wide grosgrain ribbon.

The second Prototype with a changed design.

Here's how the magnet sits and below how the Magnet looks in Detective Dani's favourite reading material.

Detective Dani had made a beautiful and fun Christmas gift and due to these efforts Detective Dani was able to provide her demonstration attendee's with a fun Make and Take during the month of September. Detective Dani even used her Spotlight product to top off the project.

Stay tuned for the next episode of Craft and Design. Detective Dani ends up in too deep. Will she be able to solve the case?? You'll be in suspense!

Dani

P.S. Thanks so much Jo for letting me case your work and write this fun post.

October Spotlight

I know I promised I'd be post yesterday but I've been busy entertaining my mates from Melbourne! Sorry to anyone that may have been hanging out for this months spotlight. I do highly doubt it though!

This months Spotlight is a stamp set. I decided since it's October now is the best time to start thinking about getting prepared for Christmas. So all month I'm going to show you beautiful projects made with the very gorgeous "Season of Joy" Christmas Stamp Set. This set is featured in the lovely Spring Mini Catalogue (pg 22) for only $51.95. It is a really fresh and versatile set and great for quick and easy Christmas cards.

The following card was made taking inspiration from the lovely Michelle Dyson after the card she had us make as a card in a box on the team weekend away. The colours are really lovely and a great combo together. I will use it again!

I made the snowflake embellishment using a technique called Faux Metal. It is made by applying versamark to a piece of cardstock and then embossing silver powder onto it. I then repreted this process until I had about 4 layers thick of the powder. I then stamped the snowflake image into the versamark onto the embossing layers whilst it was still hot to get the imprint of the stamp. I then finished it off with a blue rhinestone brad. Here's a close up... How pretty is it???

Stamp Set: Season of Joy

Cardstock: Whisper White, Soft Sky, Sage Shadow

Ink: Sage Shadow, Versamark

Accessories: Scallop Punch, 1 3/8" and 1 1/2" circle, Silver Embossing Powder, Ice Rhinestone Brads, Mat Pack, Dimensionals

Technique: Faux Metal

Cheers Big Ears!

Dani xoxo

Wheelin' Good Father's Day

Well as noted yesterday this month I'm spotlighting the use of Stampin' Around Wheels! I made a card the other day for my grandfather in QLD for father's day. It is already a challenge enough to make a card for a man let alone a card using my spotlight product. This card I am so pleased with and must give a mention to the beautiful Carol Dunstan who i took some inspiration from making this card. No particular card of hers just her projects in general! Thanks Carol!

I used the embossing resist technique which was done by embossing the happy father's day stamp from occasional greetings set in white and then sponged over the top in Blue Bayou and Certainly Celery. I then rolled the leaf print wheel in certainly celery onto certainly celery Cardstock. It gives a subtle but great look to the card.

Here's a close up...

TFL! Happy father's day to all the wonderful father's out there!

Happy Stampin'

Dani

Spotlight: Wheely fun!

Hi all,

I know, I know, I'm a little late! Life has been crazy and I'm still not 100% despite being back at work *sniff*. This month in honour of the September Free Wheelin' Promo I have decided that my spotlight product will be Stampin' Around Wheels! All month I will show projects using a variety of wheels and how the use of a wheel can add a quick and simple touch to a project.

The card I have to show you tonight is using the So Swirly Wheel which also co-ordinates with the Priceless set. Buy the Priceless set at anytime during the month of September for only $45.95 and you can recieve the co-ordinating wheel for free! (That's a saving of $15.95) To place your order or this or one of the other 5 sets chosen for the Free Wheelin' Promo please contact me today!

The colour combo I used for this card is a colour challenge I have had up my sleeve for a while based on the photo of bedding I found below! It's a little bright but funky all the same! Cameo Coral, Ballet Blue, Tempting Turquoise, So Saffron (and blush blossom which I didn't use). Please attempt it if you dare.

The layout comes inspired from the Spring Mini on page 17! Jayne set us a challenge a couple of weeks ago to case that card and send a copy to a demonstrator and one to a customer. I made another card but had fun with the layout so tried it again and here's the card!

Stamp Set: Priceless, Occasional Greetings, So Swirly Wheel

Ink: Cameo Coral, Tempting Turquoise, Ballet Blue, So Saffron

Cardstock: Cameo Coral, Tempting Turquoise, Ballet Blue, So Saffron, Whisper White

Accessories: 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Stapler, Jumbo Wheel

Thanks for looking! Have a great Thursday Night!

Ciao!

Dani :)

Spotlight - Watercolouring Class

Hi all,

Wow! I have been busy busy busy and in amongst all of it I have fallen sick... again! It is killing my life. I cannot seem to ever recover from anything and this has been going on for 6 weeks now! Meh! Anywho! As mentioned here I am doing a class on my spotlight technique this month in watercolouring this Sunday 31st August at 2pm at my place and I have ONE more spot left. The class costs $20 with everything included to make 4 beautiful cards. So here is a little sneak peak of one of the things you will be making!! If you want the last spot get in quick before it fills up. Contact me via commenting on this post or email me with your contact details and I'll contact you to confirm your spot.



Today is also my very gorgeous boyfriends birthday and I have spoilt him rotten! I will be back to show you all the beautiful stuff he got! Happy Birthday Karl! Love you lots hunny!

TFL!

Dani

Spotlight - Watercolour Challenge

I know all my posts lately have been about team weekend away but I really did enjoy it and It's the only really eventful thingthat's happened in my life at the moment. Todays card is another one I completed at Team weekend away incorporating some more colour challenges and some more watercolouring. I must say I was really happy with how these colours mixed in the watercolouring. The challenge colours were Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Orchid Opulence and Rose Red. Please let me know what you think.

Here's a close up of my watercolouring...

Stamp Set: Natural Beauty
Ink: Black Stazon, Basic Black, Orchid Opulence, Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie
Card Stock: Watercolouring paper, Basic Black, Orchid Opulence, Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red
Accessories: Aqua Painters, Corner Punch, Black grosgrain ribbon


Also to really test myself out and push my boundaries I am having a technique class at the end of the month featuring, you guessed it, my new found love... Watercolouring! I will be doing 4 cards. Some using the new spring mini sets and some christmas cards. The details are below

Who: You and bring along a friend (Hurry places are limited)
What: Watercolouring Technique class
When: Sunday 31st August 2008
Time: 2pm
Price: $20 includes all materials. Please bring your own tape. Afternoon tea provided

Please contact me via email or on 0420 974 200 to register your place in the class and get my address.

I hope to see you there!

Dani :)

Bloomin' with Guava

Ok Ok Ok! So i've said a few times I'm not a guava fan and I haven't used it much... Well I may have a little change in heart. Over the course of the weekend away we were set a variety of layout and colour challenges in our booklet which we could participate in if we wished. During Saturday I was asking for tips on watercolouring as I always thought I was a watercolouring moron and after recieving some great tips from fellow demonstrators Karen Oliver, Carol Dunstan and Alana Galagher who were a few of my table buddies I decided to tackle one of the colour challenges with some water colouring. The colour challenge was Groovy Guava, Blush Blossom, So Saffron and Wild Wasabi. I was so impressed with what I came up with and really thought the Guava looked stunning.

I added my card to the wall after showing off cos I was just so damn proud and left it to be. On Sunday we were all asked to vote for our favourite colour challenge card and our favourite layout challenge card without voting for ourselves. I was absolutly excited and taken back when low and behold my guava watercolouring card got the most votes overall and I won some rich regal buttons. Here is a picture of my prize winning card with the buttons I won. I'm still so psyched!

Stamp Sets: Bloomin' with Beauty, En Francias (Thanks Bec)

Cardstock: Groovy Guava, Blush Blossom, Watercolouring paper

Inks: Blush Blossom, Groovy Guava, Wild Wasabi

Accessories: Grrovy Guava double stitched ribbon, Hodgepodge hardware, So saffron brads, Dimensionals, Aqua Painters

Technique: Watercolouring

I used the new Bloomin' with Beauty set from the brand new spring mini catalogue. If you would like to recieve your copy or place a workshop so you could have a play with the new stamp sets please contact me.

Now because I am so damn proud of my efforts and want to challenge myself further I have decided that this months Spotlight is the watercolouring technique! So stay tuned all this month to see if I can really watercolour or it was just luck!

Happy Stampin'

Dani xoxo

Spotlight: Sooty Stamping

Hi all,

For any new comers for the month of August I am displaying artworks that use glossy cardstock as my "spotlight" product. Todays project is using a technique called coloured soot stamping or you could use a more basic version of the technique called soot stamping. This technique is quiet fiddly but I found it quiet fun to play with. Due to this I have lots of tips for if you want to do this technique yourself.

To make this technique you need a piece of glossy white cardstock (Fancy that) a brayer or sponges, ink (I used Choc Chip, Close to Cocoa and Pumpkin Pie), stamps (I used Petal Prints and warmest regards*), a candle, matches/lighter and acrylic sealer. TIP: If you do not have acrylic sealer you can use hairspray! It isn't as good but is an easy substitute to seal your work. I used it for sealing all my art works in year 12 art!!!

Here's a quick rap up of what I did to achieve the look. First start by sponging the colours onto the glossy cardstock in random places. (For a more even look use one colour and apply with a brayer) Once desired colour is achieved light your candle and wave the piece of cardstock over the candle trying not to concerntrate on one spot for to long to avoid burning the cardstock. TIP: Hold the cardstock with some tweasers to avoid burning your fingers. Once desired burnt look has been achieved stamp your cardstock with image. TIP: Be careful not to touch the cardstock otherwise you'll get nice fingerprints on the cardstock and black soot on your fingers. Once finished stamping seal the image with acrylic sealer or in my case HAIRSPRAY!! Once dry finish your card and VOILA!

This isn't a technique I would use very often but it gives a nice vintage/warn look or is nice for an autumn type card. I just liked it cos I got to play with fire! TFL!

Have a great week!

Dani

Spotlight: I cannot resist a white crayon!

As I promised last night. I have been working on some pretty projects using this months product, glossy white cardstock. For this card I used a technique called Crayon Resist. This is one of my favourite techniques to do as it has such a pretty and unpredictable outcome.

How it works is you cut your glossy white cardstock to size. Stamp your image in Stazon (Permanent Ink) being careful not to smudge it as the glossy cardstock can be slippery. Then take a white wax based crayon pressing firmly colour in the parts of your image that you want to remain white. Then take a sponge and sponge on your colour/s OR use a brayer. Once all colour has been added rub the cardstock with a paper towel to get the excess wax off. Then finish your card and Voila!

Stamp Sets: Petal Prints, Occasional Greetings

Cardstock: Orchid Opulence, Basic Black

Ink: Black Stazon, Orchid Opulence, Regal Rose, Purely Pomegrante

Accessories: Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Black Eyelets, Crop a dile, Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, White Crayon

Techniques: Crayon Resist

Alternatively if my quick instructions wasn't enough detail for you there is also a great visual tutorial on splitcoast stampers which can be found here.

Have a lovely weekend.

Dani xoxo

Spotlight on... White Glossy Cardstock

Ok so I'm a day later than promised! Sorry! If you didn't read 2 posts below... WELCOME to my first of many spotlights! This month I am spotlighting one of my favourite products, White Glossy cardstock (106555). You can purchase this fantastic baby for only $9.50 for 25 sheets, That's 38c a sheet! So what can you do with this cheap product??

Believe it or not the glossy card stock is used in a variety of fun and easy techniques which I will display over the next few weeks. It also adds a bit of shiny-ness to a project and is also the best cardstock to use with your brayer or when sponging as you need less ink and it spreads easier!

Here is a card I made using the 'Ghosting' technique, on my glossy cardstock, which I love and used in my second attempt card for my Kristina Werner colour challenge. I will show a tutorial how to use this technique with the added effect of the very cool sponging which I think makes this card so rocking!

I hope over the coming month you come to love glossy white cardstock as much as I do and start to incorporate it into your own projects. Remember it is only $9.50 a pack and anyone who orders it from me during this month will also get free printed tutorial instructions on how to use it in all the techniques shown on my blog during this month. How good is that?

Thanks for looking and have a great rest of your week!

Dani :)

My Design Stalker, The Spotlight and crafty goodness!

Ok I haven't blogged much this week but that has meant my crafting has been on hold, it's more the latter. So with that said I must warn you in advance, This will be a long post. But the pictures will be plentiful!! Above is a picture of my July Make and Take project.

MY DESIGN STALKER

Firstly, as said in my last post I'm am getting quiet carried away with Kristina's challenges. The last one was no exception. After I completed the challenge I had this other idea floating through my head. I tried to leave it be but even when doing my eScape thank you gifts I couldn't kick this design that kept stalking me in my head. So yesterday during my eScape event I finally gave in and gave it a whirl. I must say, I AM SO HAPPY I DID! I am rather in love with what I came up with and even more so think this colour combo was just amazing.

To jog your memories the combo that was given to us was Purely Pomegrante, Regal Rose, River Rock, Wild Wasabi and Whisper White. Here is what I did with the colour combo and the design aspects of the bedding a second time around.

Stamp Sets: Think Happy thoughts, Baroque Border Standard Wheel

Cardstock: River Rock, Glossy White

Inks: Purely Pomegrante, Regal Rose, Wild Wasabi and Versamark

Accessories: Regal Rose Wide Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Punch, 1 3/8 circle punch, 1 1/4 circle punch, Ice Rhinestone Brads, White gel pen

Technique: Ghosting

THE SPOTLIGHT

No I'm not talking about the technique or the hostess set. I'm talking about a new feature to my blog. Each month I will be choosing a SU! product either Stamp Set, Accessories, Cardstock colour, etc or a technique which I will focus on for the month in addition to my other beautiful projects. The purpose of this is to:

1. Show my readers how versatile different SU! products can be and different ways of using them.

2. Show my readers how to use different techniques and there versatility.

3. Challenge myself to think outside the square and use some different products instead of going to my favourites all the time.

4. Be a good resource for others when selecting products they would like to purchase.

So when will all this great stuff happen? 1st July which happens to be this Tuesday. Have a check back to my blog then when I will reveal this months "Spotlighted" product/technique.

CRAFTY GOODNESS

As stated above I have been very busy. In fact I recieved a phone call from my relatives 2 weeks ago asking if we would make my cousin a scrapbook for his 21st. The album was completed and given to him yesterday! That was alot of fun considering not only did me and my mum have to throw together some scrapbook pages to fill an album in less than 2 weeks we also had to hunt down the photos, scan them, motidfy them, get them printed ready to be scrapbooked.

I did a few pages which I'm quiet happy with considering I don't really consider myself a scrapbooker. I do apologise in advance for the quality of the photographs. It was hard to get good light where a flash wasn't needed so therefore the photo's have a flash reflection.

I must admit for the first time ever I have featured a non SU! product on my blog. It is the striped blue paper. I couldn't help but add it onto the page as it coordinates so nicely with his outfit. Otherwise all other products are SU! Don't you just love the ribbon effect? Here's a close up:

Here is another page I have done. In the photo are my aunty, my brother Andrew is on the left in blue and my cousin Keagan who the scrapbook was done for.

Thanks heaps for bearing with me through this lengthy post. I wish you all a lovely Sunday evening whatever you get up to.

Dani :)