Masculine Foliage

I think it's been well established by now that masculine cards are what everyone struggles with. I always put them off when I know that I have to make one. Anyway I made a masculine card for Karl's Opa on night shift the other night and I'm so so so happy with it. I usually doubt weather the recipient will like what I made but I know that this card will go down a treat. Here's what I created for him...



If you compare this card to the previous one you'll be able to tell that I'm a bit in love with Tearing, Crumb Cake and French Foliage atm hahaha. Also need to highlight I used More Mustard... I never use more mustard. And I think it really sets the card off. I think I'll be challenging myself to use it again.

Stamp Set: French Foliage, Beautiful Butterflies
Ink: More Mustard, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Lucky Limeade
Cardstock: Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Old Olive
Accessories: Sponge Daubers, Dimensionals

Thanks for looking,
Dani

Embracing Simplicity

Hey All,

In my last post I advised that I found simpler cards harder to make especially cards with less layers. Well I must have been hit with the Less is more bug cos I managed 2 simple cards that took under 30 mins each to make. AWESOME! They are both similar but hey I am still happy with them especially cos they are BRIGHT and cheerful.



This first one I made for my dad whose birthday it was on Australia Day. He also had surgery yesterday so nice and cheery is definatly on the cards

Stamp Set: Circle Circus, On your birthday
Cardstock: Pear Pizzazz, Bashful Blue, Whisper White
Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Bashful Blue, Marina Mist
Accessories: Marina Mist Button, Marina Mist Taffeta Ribbon, Corner rounder



This second one I made to say thanks to our friends for letting us stay at their caravan last weekend. We had the most awesome time. I'm really tempted to buy my own down there now.

Stamp Set: Circle Circus, Trendy Trees
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Rose Red, Whisper White
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Rose Red
Accessories: Pumpkin Pie Taffeta Ribbon, Rose Red Button, Corner Rounder

Thanks for looking,
Dani

Just Add Ink #52

Hi guys and gals,

I've just gotten back from an awesome break away down the south coast. Was much fun and very needed for me to have a bit of a destress. Then to arrive home to this horrible weather, I think I'm going to pack up and move down there. Anyway I got to sneak in a card for Just Add Ink's weekly challenge. This week its a sketch, here it is...



I really love there sketches as they are usually on the more simpler side of life which for me is a challenge to not add 20 billion layers. So I tried not to complicate it this week and embrase the simplicity. I must say I don't know if I LOVE this card yet but please tell me what you think as it's a little bit different for me. Also would love to hear what age group you feel it's appropriate for.



Stamp Set: Grunge Rock, Sanded
Cardstock: Night of Navy, Real Red, Bashful Blue, Whisper White
Ink: Real Red, Night of Navy, Bashful Blue
Accessories: Paper Snips, Top Note dye, Real Red Taffeta, Night of Navy thin taffeta, Rhinestones, Paper Snips

I also find it quiet fitting that I just randomly chose these colours and happened to put it on my blog on Australia Day, How fitting. Trust me, none of it was planned. Happy Australia Day everyone, I hope you all had a great day munching on some snags and sipping a few beers! (I however worked, bah humbug!)

Have a great one!
Dani

Fathers Day Is Just Around The Corner....

Hi guys,

Hasn't this year flown? Fathers day is in just a few weeks and if your anything like me your thinking eeek only 2 more weeks to get something for the hardest person to purchase for! Well I decided on my weekend away last weekend to get at least a start on a card for my dad. My dad is very simple, doesn't like anything over the top and likes fairly muted colours. Ie. His favourite colour is grey! Haha!

On the weekend away we were given the following colours to play with Kraft aka Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla, Basic Grey and Soft Suede. I would never put these colours together normally but thanks to the keen eye of Stampin' Up we have Designer Series Paper in the new catalogue in these colours and they are gorgeous. These cards are perfect muted colours for my dad so I made a card for my dad a father's day card using these colours and a stamp set I don't own but have eyed off since it appeared in our current catalogue. Here's the Clean and simple card I came up with...




Can you guess which stamp set it is?? Surely it can't be Teeny Tiny Sentiments haha! I seem to be using that set on every card I make recently, maybe I need to challenge myself NOT to use it! It is Circle Circus. This set is great and so versatile and is fab for whipping up masculine cards! So can you guess what set I'm getting my hands on soon? Haha!

Stamp Set: Teeny Tiny Sentiments, Circle Circus
Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Kraft/Crumb Cake, Basic Grey, Very Vanilla
Ink: Baja Breeze, Basic Grey, Soft Suede
Accessories: Mat Pack, SAMJ, 1/2", 3/4", 1", 1 1/2", 1 3/8" Circle Punches

Thanks for looking,

Dani

Just Add Ink #28

Woo Hoo! I got to participate in a challenge! This week at Just Add Ink it's a double challenge... Just add a man card using Chocolate Chip, Kraft and Baja Breeze! Stunning colours but what to do with them? Any card maker will agree that men's cards are ALWAYS the hardest so I wanted to do something different. I remember seeing a tutorial by Rachel Capps on how to do a Punch Art electric guitar. So I tweaked her tutorial slightly to make an acoustic guitar. This is what the final product looked like...



Stamp Sets: Sanded, Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Cardstock: Kraft, Chocolate hip, Baja Breeze
Accessories: 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/2" circle punch, 3/4" circle punch, word window punch, large star punch, sponge daubers, pewter brads, non SU silver thread

Thanks for looking
Dani

Inkspirations Challenge #31

Hi guys,

As I stated the other day when I saw this sketch I had another idea I wanted to try. Now I must say I'm not 100% happy with the outcome but still thought the card was cute so I thought I'd share it anyway. Here is the sketch we had to work with...



My team are currently doing a swap using the technique "suspension cards." As I have only ever made one of these before I thought this sketch gave me the perfect opportunity to practice. I am glad I did because there is alot of tweaking that needs to be done before I am 100% happy with it. This card also took alot of work because I haven't replaced all the punches I lost when my stuff was stolen so I cut all the squares for this card with my cutter and not a punch or big shot dye!

Here's the card...



The suspended "bugs and kisses" square spins to reveal a picture on the other side. Here is the card with the other side of the suspension



Too cute huh??? Here's a close up of the suspension mid twist.



Stamp Set: Bugs and Kisses
Ink: Old Olive, Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red
Cardstock: Whisper White, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, Summer Picnic DSP*
Accessories: Dental Floss, Sticky Strip, Scallop Edge Punch, Tangerine Tango Ribbon, SAMJ, Paper Cutter

Thanks for looking,
Dani

Retiring Colours

Hi guys,

I decided to make a card specifically for the JAI challenge this week. I have another great idea floating around up there which I hope to get done before cut off. I decided to use some of our retiring colours to make this card. Not only to use them before they go but to really celebrate how good some of the retiring colours are. I also decided to case a card from the current IB&C! I absolutly love the sweet card on page 8 of the catty. Here's my more boy-ish version of the card



Stamp Set: Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Ink: Apricot Appeal
Cardstock: Apricot Appeal, Ruby Red, Brocade Blue, Whisper White
Accesories: Apricot Appeal and Brocade Blue Prints DSP pack, Scallop Egde Punch, Brocade Blue brads, Dimensionals, Polka Dot Folder, Big Shot

It's funny the last few cards I've made for JAI challenges have been alot more simple cards then I usually do. This is a fun card and would be great again for a make and take or a SAS. When I stamped the happy birthday sentiment I originally used my SAMJ and then thought no it'd look quirkier freehand so I stamped free hand instead. I like this look alot better. I don't think everything needs to be 100% perfect all the time to look great.

Thanks for looking,
Have a great evening! I'm off to watch my new favourite show, True Blood!

Dani

First Inklings Blog Hop

Welcome to The INKlings’ Team’s first ever blog hop. You may have arrived here from Nicky Adamson's or just be visiting my blog, whichever way once you’ve checked out my creations you can continue the hop through the link at the end of this post to the next team member.

What style of cards do we frequently get asked for inspiration for? More often than not it’s masculine cards, be it little boys or grandfathers everyone seems to struggle with cards for the males in our lives. So as a team we thought we’d help you out by providing you with 20 team members fantastic blogs that you can hop through and get lots of fantastic ideas from.

Want to win some Blog Candy? Simply leave a comment on each blog and then email Michelle Dyson and let her know you’ve done so and you’ll be in the running for a fantastic prize of 20 handmade cards plus other goodies.
Sorry Blog Candy prize not available to SU! demonstrators.

Well isn't this so exciting, The first Inklings Blog Hop and My first Blog Hop! Please make sure you complete the hop of all 20 blogs and give all the lovely ladies some comment love because it's not as much fun if you don't. Now since the hop is masculine themed, if that isn't a challenge enough, I wanted to challenge myself to use stamp sets I wouldn't usually use to make a masculine card. Usually I just go to old faithful "Lovely as a tree" to make my card but not today and I must say I am really happy with what I ended up doing. I used Upsy Daisy embossed in black and teamed it with Urban Oasis and Walk in the Park DSP, a little hand sewing and some finishing touches and here it is...



Stamp Sets: Upsy Daisy, Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Ink: Basic Black, Versa Mark
Cardstock: Kraft, Basic Black, Kiwi Kiss, Walk in the Park DSP*, Urban Oasis DSP
Accessories: Black Embossing Powder, Dimensionals, Black Brad, Neddle and Black Cotton

In case you miss anyone on the way here is a list of all the participants and links to there blogs

Clare McIlhatton
Janice Spencer
Dani Holland
Kylie Swain
Amy Anderson
Kari Hughes
Jayne Mercer
Joanna Wassens
Michelle Dyson
Christie Wallace
Carolyn Gibbs
Fiona Brown
Beth Stewart
Nicky Adamson
Dani Fender (ME)
Michelle Frost-Stevenson
Rachel Jackson
Rachel Capps
Carolyn Campbell-McLean
Michelle Le Breton

Well that’s all from me. Next stop on the INKlings’ Team Blog Hop is Michelle Frost-Stevenson. Have fun and don't forget to leave a comment on each blog to win some great Blog Candy.

Thanks again for stopping by
Dani

Makeesha Colour Challenge No 21

Hi guys,

Wow, twice in a week! Woo Hoo! And I got to participate in another Inkspirations Challenge! This week was a colour challenge. I really like these colours, They are my sort of colours. I'm pretty sure I did my Christmas Cards in these colours one year! Here they are...



My brother officially graduated from university last week and is now a qualified nurse so I thought these colours would be great for a card for him to say Congrats! Here is the card I gave to him...



Stamp Set: Say it with Scallops
Ink: Old Olive and Real Red Markers
Cardstock: Old Olive, Real Red, Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Old Olive DSP
Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note Die, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Bashful Blue grosgrain, Scallop Square Punch, 1 1/2" Square Punch, Dimensionals

Thanks for looking
Dani

Partying on an easel

I have been making lots of easel cards lately. They are heaps of fun and really easy to make and give your card that extra 'pop'. I made one this week using Makeesha Byl's sketch challenge which looks like this...



I absolutely love this sketch and have a million other ideas of what I could have done with it if i had enough time this week. But due to the flu, gastro bug and a teething baby that wasn't feasible unfortunately! Here's what I did come up with....



I used the Party Hearty Stamp Set with some lovely masculine colours Kiwi Kiss and Baja Breeze. I am so excited we are keeping Baja! How awesome does the card look standing up all on it's own! Here is a close up of the front of the card...



Stamp Set: Party Hearty
Card Stock: Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black
Ink: Basic Black, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: 1 3/8" and 1 1/2" circle punch, Scallop Edge punch, Word Window Punch, Black Brads

Thanks for looking!
Dani

Makeesha Inspiration Challenge #17

OMG! I'm so excited! Why? Well two reasons....
a. I got to participate in a Makeesha Challenge again
b. I got my entry in well before due

Makeesha Byl runs weekly challenges and I always really enjoy them because I'm not making a card because its someones birthday or because my mum asked me too or whatever it's creating for me and sometimes you really need to get back to that rather than whipping up cards for everyone else. This weeks challenge is an inspiration challenge and it looks like this...



I originally saw this picture and just fell in love with that beautiful tree on the side so I thought I'd use 'Lovely as a Tree' to depict the tree from the image. I had so many ideas running through my head and kept trying different things and from there my card just kept evolving into what was going to be a really simple card to something a bit more complex. But thats the best part about the inspiration challenges is to get inspired and to enjoy creating. So here is what I eventually came up with



Stamp Set: Lovely as a Tree, Sanded BG
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Baja Breeze, Creamy Caramel, Barely Banana, Apricot Appeal
Cardstock: Close to Cocoa, Baja Breeze, Creamy Caramel, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Chit Chat Rub On's, Choc Chip double stitched ribbon, Dimensionals, Mat Pack, Brayer, Sponge Daubers, Sponges, 3/4" circle punch, Post it notes, Creamy Caramel Marker, Stamp a ma jig

The card is thinner and longer than a normal card but sometimes its fun to experiment with the dimensions. To get the background I have used sponging and brayering. For further information or step by step details in how to achieve this effect please just leave a comment or email me at danielle.fender@gmail.com

Thanks for looking
Dani

Makeesha Colour Challenge #13

Hi Guys,

This week i saw Makeesha's Colours this week I instantly knew what I wanted to do with them. Here are the colours that she gave us this week



I've been meaning to practice more with my brayer as I don't use it enough but really love the effect I get from it so I decided that these colours would be great for Brayering. I used the group of trees from the "Lovely as a tree" set and brayered to give a lovely moonlit night! Heres my final product...



Stamp Set: Lovely as a tree, Sanded BG
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Versamark
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Not Quite Navy, Old Olive
Accessories: Embossing Buddy, Heat Tool, Clear Embossing Powder, Brayer, 1 1/2" circle punch, Post It Notes, Dimensionals, Old Olive Brads, Mat Pack, Wide and Thin Choc Chip Grosgrain

Thanks for looking! If you want to know more details about how I made the card just let me know and I'll email you!

Cheers, Dani :)

Elegant Stars

My youngest brother celebrated his birthday earlier this month! I really wanted to make a card that combined things that he liked while also keeping it masculine which is a challenge in itself. He loves dark purple and black together and he loves stars so I knew I needed to include these on the card. I decided to play with my punches and here's what I came up with.



Stamp Sets: Spotlight on Christmas, Occasional Greetings
Ink: Elegant Eggplant
Cardstock: Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White, Basic Black
Accessories: Small and Large Star Punches, Dimensionals, Black Brads

Needless to say I was really happy with the card and he really liked it too which is even better!

Have a lovely evening!
Dani :)

Inkspirations Inspiration Challenge #10

Hi All,

I'm so excited I got the time to participate in another Makeesha Challenge so soon. This weeks challenge is an inspiration challenge. Below is the image to be inspired by



I went with the colours and clean lines as my inspiration. I used Basic Grey, Basic Black, Taken with Teal, So Saffron, Whisper White and some hemp twine to tie in the small hint of a brown colour I could see. I just purchased 'Party Hearty' and really wanted to use it so I went with a masculine birthday card using the colours. Here is what I came up with...



Stamp Set: Party Hearty
Ink: Basic Black, Taken with Teal Marker, So Saffron Marker
Cardstock: Taken with Teal, So Saffron, Basic Grey, Basic Black, Whisper White, Patterns II DSP pack
Accessories: White Taffeta Ribbon, Hemp Twine, 1'3/8 1'1/2 inch square punches, 3/4' circle punch, Scallop Punch, Black Brads

This weekend I'm off on a Team Weekend Away to Vision Valley with The Inklings Demonstrator group. I'm so excited to just have a weekend of stamping it's just what I need. Can't wait to show you heaps of creations and stories when I get back!

Happy Stampin'
Dani :)

Men!

I don't know about you but I find it very hard to make cards for men. Boys is fine but men I find are very difficult. Even if I had extremly man-ly sets I think I would still have a great difficulty. On the weekend I had 2 cards to make for friends who are having upcoming birthdays. I like both of the cards I made for different reasons but still think that all the cards I make for men are the same and struggle to find different things to put on them. I think I will need to challenge myself more to make more masculine cards.

This first card I orginally started making with the other person in mind but once I was finished I realised it was much more suited to the other person because he has property which has thousands of pine trees on it and it really reminded me of being back on there property.

Stamp Set: Lovely as a Tree

Ink: Old Olive

Cardstock: Old Olive, Choc Chip, Whisper White

Accessories: Dimensionals, Old Olive and Choc Chip Markers

This second card is very simple and very simular to a card I have made for a Kristina Challenge before but I think it has a masuline look to it. I love the colours used and will definatly be using them again. They are a great combo.

Stamp Set: Always*, Occasional Greetings

CardStock: Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Blue Bayou, Basic Grey

Ink: Certainly Celery, Blue Bayou, Basic Grey

Accessories: The brand new scallop punch from the Summer Mini! LUSHNESS GALORE!

I have also been asked about where I got the mini calendars from 2 posts back. I will be back with some more projects made with them and where I got them from!

Thanks for looking

Dani :)