The Hop to STOP...

Mixed Media piece created using Dylusions and Glimmermist sprays and 

Unity Stamps with gloss black embossing powder.

If you're wondering why everything in blogland is turning purple... there IS a reason - the Hop to Stop is here! 

You see, purple is the color of National Domestic Violence Awareness month. 

1 in 3 women will experience domestic violence over the course of their lifetimes. 

Let that sink in - 33% of all the women you meet. 

Women aren't the only people who are affected! Women, men, transgender - gender doesn't matter. Domestic violence is something that exists regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, religion, education level, etc.

And yet, it's something that is rarely talked about in very public ways. It's something that's hidden and hushed. And since papercrafters are some of the most amazing people out there, some of you have agreed to make a card (or cards) to raise awareness for this issue. Together, we CAN make a powerful impact. 

These are all the incredible companies who've agreed to support this blog hop. 14 companies and over $500 in prizes! So HOP on over to The Damsel of Distressed, to join in and help raise awareness, and do something positive to STOP Domestic Violence.

In AUSTRALIA... Free counselling is available through the 
National Sexual Assault,
Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service 
1800 737 732

Mama Elephant Pandamonium and Celebration sentiment, heat embossed with Antique Gold on Gelatos watercolour background.

Playing along with
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Ombre.

Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes

 

Silver Stars Sparkle and Shine...

I think this is a Hero Arts Christmas Tree stamp, although I could be mistaken as it was borrowed from Cecilia when we were away creating. ETA - it is in fact from Artee - an old Australian company, and actually belongs to Jenny LOL!

I painstakingly added little silver sequin stars to some of the silver tinsel embossed star outlines, I LOVE the effect but it was more time-consuming than I had hoped LOL! Added this gorgeous Mama Elephant sentiment also in Silver Tinsel embossing, and backed with American Crafts white glitter paper. 

Love this gorgeous Muse card by Terese - sad to hear she will be leaving Muse soon,

but it does mean YOU could have the opportunity to join the Muse team!

Playing along with Simon Says Stamp Stars,
Just Add Ink Just Add Texture,

Mama Elephant Holiday Cards and Tags, Inkspirational Shine,

Muse, and Moxie Fab World Tree-mendous Tree Challenge too!

Twinkle All the Way...

After creating this card for last weeks Less Is More, I thought I'd have a go at making a one layer card version. I die cut two stencils from clear acetate sheeting, one with the negative space from Lil Inkers Stitched Square and the other with Making Memories Country Landscape, then taped them together to use as my mask for inking. Inked up with Distress Ink in Tumbled Glass, Salty Ocean and Dusty Concord, moving upwards to the deepest colour. Stamped with Mama Elephant Believe in Magic star cluster and Winter Wonderland large star in Momento Luxe Wedding ink embossed in white embossing powder then added Mama Elephant Merry Greetings sentiment in black, and Wink of Stella Clear Sparkle to the night sky. It felt like it needed a little extra boost, so I created a hand drawn outline in black fine-liner for added depth.

Playing along with Less Is More One Layer Starry Starry Night, Mama Elephant and Me Holiday Cards and Tags, Color Throwdown, The Pink Elephant CAS and City Crafter Christmas CAS.

Inspired by Online Holiday Card Workshop Homework Day 4.

This made me smile...

Merry Christmas Deer - Snowglobe Shaker...

You'll be glad to see I've moved on to Online Holiday Card Class Homework Day 2 LOL. Also playing along with City Crafter My Deer, Mama Elephant and Me Holiday Cards and Tags, Merry Monday Creams, Tans and Browns and ShowCASe Your Style Tic-Tac-Toe Die Cut/Red/Sequins. 

Created using Mama Elephants Believe In Magic and Winter Wonderland, together with Lil Inkers Stitched Circle die and Momento Luxe inks. Layers in the shaker sandwich are the Winter Wonderland background stamped in Toffee Crunch and Love Letter, layer of foam with Stitched Circle cutout, Clear Sequins inside the circle, Winter Wonderland deer stamped in Rich Cocoa and popped on a foam backing, clear acetate shaker front, cardstock card front with Stitched Circle opening and Winter Wonderland sentiment stamped in Rich Cocoa, base of Believe in Magic snowglobe, stamped in Love Letter.

 

ETA Playing along with The Challenge Kraft/Brown/Red too (thanks Lesley!)

This made me smile...

Christmas... Believe in the Magic

More Online Holiday Card Class Homework Day 1, the only problem with so much inspiration is, at this rate I'll be finished all my Christmas cards before I get to Day 2 homework LOL! Playing along with Virginia's View All Things Metallic, Mama Elephant and Me Holiday Cards and Tags and Craft Stamper Take It, Make It Challenge - Non Christmas Stamps. Jennifer's cool Christmas word tree, got me thinking about stamping a Christmas letter tee, using Mama Elephant Flashy Letters in Red Glitter embossing and Believe in Magic topped with Winter Wonderland large star in Super Fine Silver embossing, and backed with American Crafts Silver Glitter paper.

 

This made me SMILE...

 

Sparkle and Shine this Holiday Season...

There aren't many cards I could stand to reproduce multiple times, but I think this would have to be one of the few! Playing along with Virginia's View All Things Metallic, Less Is More Colour Challenge - Non-Traditional Christmas (even though my "white" space is blue), and Mama Elephant and Me Holiday Cards and Tags, with more homework from Online Holiday Card Class Homework Day 1. Inspired by Kristina's easy to ink background, using Distress Ink Black Soot to on navy textured cardstock to create the night sky, then stamping with Mama Elephant Believe in Magic star cluster and Winter Wonderland large star in Momento Luxe white ink and sentiment in silver super fine embossing powder. The Memory Box Countryside die cut is cut with the doors and windows having added Wink of Stella Clear Sparkle, as does the night sky.

Variation on a theme using Mama Elephant Merry Greetings sentiment.

 

WCD Vintage Joy...

Hope you all had a FABULOUS World Cardmaking Day on Saturday! I was lucky enough to have spent the weekend away crafting with some gorgeous crafty friends, Jenny, Cecilia and Iwona. I made a few cards, but only two so far that I'm able to photograph and share.

My first card was created to play along with this weeks Color Q, World Card Making Day Pattern Play Challenge at Winnie and Walter, Hero Arts Holiday Challenge Tag It, and as a reminder for this months Mixed Media Card Challenge Vintage. Created my own patterned paper inspired by the colours of the Kaisercraft floral paper by layering stamps including Hero Arts Postcard, Penny Black , Prima Vintage and Antiques stamps. Papers are a mix of Kaisercraft and MME, with green and brown Copics for the leaves and branches. Stamped in brown Archival Ink and aged with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. Pop dotted and added burlap ribbon.

My second card was created to play along with this fortnights Festive Friday, Little Red Wagon In Stitches, Lawnscaping Patterned Paper, Simon Says Stamp Transport It and Mama Elephant's Anything Goes. Loved the combination of white and green with natural timber, and that too cute sled in the Festive Friday inspiration photo. Paper pieced the Lawn Fawn bunny, added Lil Inkers Stitched circle and square (cut down), together with this fabulous sentiment from Mama Elephant, and clear stickles under the sled for snow.

Remember there is a huge World Cardmaking Day Challenge over on 

Winnie and Walter's blog, with 6 challenges, open til Saturday 11 October at midnight. 

 

ME Playing with Patterned Paper...

I paper pieced this little Mama Elephant Pandamonium panda and balloons using a lucky dip paper pack from the last crafting retreat I went to, stamped with Mama Elephant alphabet to play along with A Blog Named Hero Spell it out for Me, and a whole lotta patterned papers for Virginia's View Patterned Paper Challenge.

Mama Elephant and Me Paper Piecing + Thank You

Virginia's View Patterned Paper

A Blog Named Hero

Golden Opportunity ATCAS August Guest Designer...

So thrilled to have been invited by Loll to Guest Design at Addicted to CAS for August! What a fabulous code word this fortnight, and with the Commonwealth Games on at the moment, what better time to go for GOLD!

This fortnights card was created using gelatos and watercolour paper for the blue to green ombre background, then stamping Mama Elephant Make a Wish in Versamark Watermark and Gold Zing Embossing powder. The clusters of stars were stamped and used to position the Studio Calico Wood Veneer Stars, which had also been covered in Versamark Watermark and Gold Zing Embossing powder.

Can't wait to see how you will go for GOLD!

Remember to stop by Addicted to CAS for some more FABULOUS Design Team inspiration!

Also playing along with Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes, Seize the Birthday,
and Mama Elephant and Me Watercolour and Birthday Challenge.

Head Over Paws Sequin Shaker...

Can I tell you how much I'm LOVING Mama Elephant - and judging by how much they were "borrowed" when we went away, there are many new Mama Elephant fans too :)

Playing along with this months Mama Elephant Photo Inspiration Challenge, I drew my inspiration from the fabulous jars of potions, combining circles and glass/transparent elements to create a "love potion" sequin shaker. Just right for joining in the fabulous Pretty Pink Posh Sequin Shaker Blog Hop too. This super cute Mama Elephant Pandamonium panda tumbles "head over paws" when you roll the shaker card along the table.

Created using a die cut cardstock circle base, layered with two die cut craft foam donut circles glued together to form the sides of the shaker. I also cut two small semi circles of craft foam to fill the void behind the front layer of cardstock, just so the sequins would not all "disappear". The shaker is filled with a combination of red and gold sequins, including these gorgeous teddy bear sequins from my local $2 shop, together with some red and gold glass beads from my stash. The sequins shaker is sealed with a die cut circle of transparency sheet, topped with a cardstock donut circle. The front panel is created using circle die cuts and Mama Elephant Landscape Trio stitched cloud die, stamped with Mama Elephant Sketchy Letters, and hand written "over", highlighted with red Mama Elephant Pandamonium hearts.

Joining in the fun with Mama Elephant Photo Inspiration Challenge,

Paulina's Pretty Pink Posh Sequin Shaker Blog Hop

and Moxie Fab Hip on Handwriting Challenge.

 

Keep It Simple Bright Spark Challenge