OH DEAR

I believe I have a cutter addiction.... thats electronic die cutter for those not in the crafting world!

A small beautiful silver and white cutter has crawled ever so swiftly into my craft room and its making itself heard as I type.   

I have had a pazzles (may it forever be cared for in its forever home....NOT MINE) and a Gazelle and a Blackcat.   It appears that each of them do something slightly different, more impressive and sometimes each has its own quirks that frustrate the ....$%$^W%$&% out of me!  So why this new cutter.

Well... read up to the top line and youll get it.  No really.   I have spent HOURS and hours trying for the perfect print and cut.  And lusted after the Blackcat PRO, when I dont need one as I have a blackcat.   And my perfect print and cut can now be obtained in a few little clicks and cut on my Cameo.  Yep... I didnt even know I was expecting!

Things I love... the PERFECT easy peasy print and cut and the fact that you can actually cut typing paper, not a huge deal I know but think masking of images and youll get why I like that feature.  The mat is low tack and releases the cardstock and paper really easily.  That said, I doubt the mat will last a long time like pazzle, gazzle and blackcat mats do.  So far what do I hate.  Hmm. The mat intake is a bit finiky, the loud and much much slower than the blackcat and gazelle.  I hadnt realised just how fast the cougar was until right about now as I cut a full page of detailed doilies!

Ill post some photos soon.. (after my little precious finishes cutting this page of designs maybe) but I wanted to take step one and say outloud or in type... I HAVE A CUTTER purchasing addiction!

Pen xx

Playing with copics

Excuse the poor photo editing, but I wanted to share.  Finally had done craft time today and coloured up a saturated canary beauty.

Card Makin mama "thankful" inspiration






This fortnight at CMM we are all about being Thankful. We are kindly sponsored by Digi My World. I played with another step card (cut on my Blackcat, similar to the tutorial on the post below this one). And I used the Thankful Givings digi set. It's also available per coloured, which may of assisted me when I coloured this girl...she is a tad too bright!
Please head on over to the Card Makin Mama Challenge blog and link up your creations. you have a week left to play along.




Penny - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Side step card Tutorial for Funtime (wpc)

This video comes with a clause.  You have to click the HD option in media quality when you open the video.  For some reason, it keeps converting to a lower quality making it blurry to watch. A setting of 480 looks OK on my screen.
 
 

Side Step Card (WPC)

The WPC file above is the file created in the video, it has been test cut and i'm happy with the results. I've uploaded to skydrive, to download the file you have to click the link, highlight which file you want and then click download which is on the toolbar. I hope you find that process fairly painless.
 
Thanks for visiting today

My shopping spree

Hi everyone,
Ive been busy over the past few days playing with the layout of the Card Makin Mama's blog.  I quite like the finished product, but wow HTML can be painful.  Pop on over and have a look, if you see anything thats really WRONG or broken links then please don't hesitate in alerting me.   
 
I also finally made the decision to try my hand at video's for crafting.   As it turned out, I received a delivery from the Inpiration Emporium this morning, so that provided the perfect opportunity for me to make a video.  Now I have to work out how to edit them and to learn the art of speaking without using the word UM, I now understand why many crafter's have such beautiful finger nails on their video's.  Its because short nails on camera don't look that flash.  I recently took the acryllic nails off so mine look especially yuck.
 
 
As you can see in the video, I got loads of goodies.  I have marked up all of my reinkers now and I felt that I really did own a lot.  Well my Colour chart says otherwise.  I think its going to take many years to get the whole collection of Various Ink refils.
 
Im off to clean up the craft room (ie. hide the evidence) and then hopefully I'm going to craft tonight with some of these new goodies.
 
 
Thanks for visiting today
 


 

Card Makin Mamas - Anything Goes


Well I have officially lost and found my mojo several times lately.  I have started colouring things, given up and started again too many times to think of.   Finally I came up with something worthy of sharing for the Card Makin Mama's anything goes challenge this fortnight.  Have you been to the blog to see whats happening?


 


This week we are sponsored by Squiggle Stamps


 




 


 who are generously giving a mystery digi bundle prize to our Anything Goes winner.


 


As I lost my mojo, I let the rest of the Card Makin Mama's show their brilliance with the Squiggle Stamp images, I did however try my hand at paper piecing (then ruined the project when putting it together!).  I picked myself up yesterday and eventually came up with something.. FINALLY!!


 


This is using a discontinued Ticked Pink Rubber Stamp that I picked up when they had a huge closing down sale last year.    All that Scraps has the images now, be sure to check them out if you fancy some alternate images for your collection.


 


I thought I would start including my copic colours in my Blog posts, for two reasons.  Just incase someone wants to copy a colour combo and also so I can remember what I used in the future.


 




Hair:- BV00,02,04,08 and 100


Top and Socks, Eyes YR14,24,26, Y31, E17


Shoes and Shorts and Headband:- B91,93,95,97,99


Skin:- YG91,93,95,97,99 and Blender


(wounds I just used some of the colours from the top)


Molotow White on eyes




I just the spider web on the Blackcat Cougar and then made it shine with black liquid pearls, I also cut some baby spiders on the cougar and added glossy accents to make them pop slightly.


 


Papers are from the 7 Gypsies Savannah 6 inch paper pack and edged in Distress Inks.


 


Thanks for visiting today, be sure to visit Card Makin Mama's and join in on our challenge.
Im also entering the following Halloween Challenges
Making Halloween Card Makin Challenge
The Paper Shelter
Whoopsi Daisy
Time to craft -Halloween
 


Card Makin Mamas are going spooky

Hi Everyone,
Another day in paradise in Blue Mountains Australia.. where its trying really hard to get warm and failing.  
 
I spent ages crafting yesterday and created a layout and a card project for Kaszazz that I hope will become part of the Kaszazz world.  Fingers crossed.   Here is the layout and a matching card that was added with left over cardstock.
 
 
 
Now just to go from pretty and butterflies to spooky and scary in a cute type of way, let me introduce you to our wonderful challenge at Card Makin Mamas this week.  We are sponsored by Digital Delights by Lou Lou this week and we were given some images to play with
 
This is Aliana Witch and she gave me the chance to play with some awesome Orange blending on that Pumpkin!  I used my Blackcat cutter for the spider web and bats with American Crafts Glitter Cardstock.   
 
Looking forward to seeing your creations when you enter the Card Makin Mama's challenge this week, be sure to link up over at the Challenge Blog.
 
Thanks for visiting today

Ribbons

So I was inspired by Amy R to sort my ribbons. I stupidly unwound my spools of ribbon a few years back, leaving me with a ball of mess. Amy R of paper prairie has a you tube video on ribbons using dolly pegs, unfortunately I could only get coloured pegs, risking ribbons getting stained, fingers crossed that's a small risk. Here is the end product of sorting, the pegs and the bags with smaller remnants (and spare pegs)




Special thanks to Mel Goodman for the box I put the pegs in.




Meanwhile...on the resin front here are a few moulds i made with molding putty.




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Change in Style

I was lucky enough to be introduced to Resin molds and casting in the past week and lets just say WOW.. The process is quite easy and not that expensive once you have the resin and molds.  I've always been a bit scabby with embellishments, who knows why, their cost, the worry of running out, im not sure, but I can tell you, I have more embellishments than what I know what to do with and now RESIN is going to add more and more and im thrilled!

This card uses bits and pieces of my favourite things, nestabilities, my blackcat cougar, Resin and of course copics, I also used distress ink with a nest shape to get that cool shadowing around the coloured image.

Looking forward to your thoughts, if you do comment can you let me know if you think the photo quality needs improvement, images look fine on my PC but I noticed they look grainy on my Ipad. 

Im excited to enter this into the Creatalicious Challenge this month, its been ages since I played in challenges and Creatalicious is one of my old DT's.. Love that site.  The challenge is a colour palette and I've managed to use all the colours without even trying!






Here are a few more images from my smashbook in progress, Im loving keeping a colouring journal and kicking myself for not starting it sooner.  I have written down the colours for the image on the bottom if anyone wants to know the combos, just comments and Ill type them up.

Have a great day
Pen xx

Catching the Bug.... Card Makin Mama\'s with Bugaboo Digital Stamps

This week we are happily sponsored by Bugaboo and you get the chance of winning 7 of their images just by playing along in the Card Makin Mamas challenge this week. Our theme is all about Fall.. "Fall is here", now considering I'm from Australia and we just hit Spring.. this theme sort of entertains me.. it doesnt take much to make me giggle!



Please share your Fall creations over on the challenge blog, we look forward to seeing your creations!
I'm going to enter the YG/G challenge at Mad for Markers too.
YG,95,93,91,24,21
Rv99 ( tip to tip on leaves with Yg24)
R20
B99,97,93,92
E00,11,31,33,35,37
C7,5,3
Then Aud Sentiments is after fall cards.

Smash book beginnings

I saw my first smash book on Saturday and started my own today to keep a record of Copic colouring combos.

Christmas ideas - Kaszazz


I just love this workshop.  We made this up on the weekend in a very vibrant blue, but the stamp was just busting to be coloured in Vintage themed shades.  I used my distress markers for the colouring and of course on all the edging on the project.  You can't see it from this photo but under the lid of the box is a lovely lace border, one of my new favourites for die cutting.. its scalloped edged and polka dotted... just yummy.  My ribbon on this project was cream seam binding that I stained with Distress Stains (vintage photo I believe..or Walnut Stain, but any brown will work!)

Inspiration for Card Making Mama's... Make it Punny

I really struggled with our challenge for Card Makin Mama's this week, the other girls on the team nailed the challenge.  Have you seen their creations over on the Challenge blog, please pop over and say hi and enter your creations.  Make it Punny... play on words etc.

My card says Birthday Fishes, Hope your birthday goes swimmingly.   Quite an ordinary play on words compared to the rest of the team...    Help me out with your favourite Puns.. as I was absolutely clueless on the whole idea.  Surprise me!


Kaszazz mini release

Oh wow, it's just like Christmas, literally. We must got our September release of new products, anyone wanting to order email me at penny@buschcreations.com. I can even ship directly to your address now, so goodies are in your hands swiftly. Sneak peaks below and of course our beautiful catalogue is filled with more wonderful products, have you seen the new book? You can see it online at www.kaszazz.com or contact me and I can arrange to get you a physical copy.































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Hearts

This week at Card Makin Mamas it's all about hearts,

HEARTS

Show us your hearts. I want to see any kind of CARD you can make with a heart on it. From 1 to 1 million. As long as it has a heart, it counts.


We are at the end of a DT term with this challenge, So if there are any of you out there think want to join us on a card making adventure, please check out our current DT Call post to apply. We would love to have a few of you joining us, info on the CMM site!

Please visit out sponsor this week at Norma -Close to my heart

Something New at Card Making Mama's

Im copying this direct from the Card Makin Mama's site.. i didnt want to miss anything important!

Welcome back everyone. I hope you all have been having a great summer. I know we all have. My ladies are back and well rested and ready to share their creations with you today.

We have a super fun new challenge for you this time. We are challenge you to
try something new to you, whether it is a new technique, a new style, or a new project type. YES I said project type.
FOR THIS CHALLENGE ONLY, WE ARE OPENING IT UP TO ALL TYPES OF CREATIONS (NOT JUST CARDS).

We are being sponsored this challenge by a NEW sponsor and you will WANT to win this challenge.


My Creative Classroom is joining the CMM sponsor family.

Welcome to My Creative Classroom. MCC is an online arts and crafts learning center. Our interactive and in-depth courses are instructor led and filled with wonderful projects and techniques to help you get the most out of your supplies.

My Creative Classroom is offering the winner of this challenge a free seat to any one of their online classes. The free seat is good for one year after you claim it. The Fall semester will kick off right after labor day so you will have plenty of classes to choose from right away!

For those of you who don't win, head on over there anyway and check out their Free Courses, this may inspire you to take one of their other courses. They have a ton of great ones to choose from.

My something new was actually coloured up a few months ago now, when i rediscovered my joy of colouring.  My something new was adding shading, learning to colour folds, and perhaps having some confidence in my abilities.  I am really proud of this colouring effort and the whole card in general.

Im looking forward to seeing what you all create, dont forget to link up over at the CMM site so the DT can comment. 

Pen xoxxo
 

Did you miss me?

Sorry i've been absent, both the DT I am on are on a break right now and I just forgot to upload things.  I havent been crafting much but when i do craft im happy with what I achieve.  Ive been doing some copic colouring and also mastering using MTC software's laser function for print and cuts.  Youll see how accurate those are when i post the photo in a second.. stay tuned.

The two images I used are from Kenny K and both cards are for my husband, I actually coloured the girl image first, she is called Hot Fuzz, then I realised I had purchased the male version too, so of course I had to colour him up also.

Why cards for my hubby?  Two reasons, he is about into Stage 3 of his Highway Patrol couse and while is away for two weeks he is getting his Senior constable ranking too, (5years since he graduated).  So the male card thats dated signifies the date he becomes a Senior Constable, I have his police registration number on the card on the badge but I blurred it out for this post incase you are wondering what the image is blurred for.

Both of these cards are made from the remnant box, I have spent the last two days cleaning up AGAIN, I removed the waredrobe door so I can access card stock easily, I got some more paper holders (some perspex storage for "wait for it" $4 a unit.. they are ten shelves high and 1m tall..BARGAIN)  Im moved my Pc and cutter and the whole craft room is much more user friendly..

Anyway, the cards, I hope they are worth the wait. 


I used MTC for the cut around the images on my Blackcat including the badge which I also foiled on the foilmaster.  In the past I cut my images right on the black outline, I must admit I prefer this corrected version where a small white outline remains.  The notepad stamp set is from Gina K and its called Vintage Notes and the Spellbinders I used are Office Supplies.   Im not sure if you can see the difference, but the female image is coloured on copic xpress cardstock while the Male version is coloured on Cardmakers card stock from Designs Made by me.  I did use different blues when colouring but the female is more vibrant in my opinion.. like she pops.  I dont mind the more subdue colouring on the male when put with other elements on the card.  

Card Makin Mamas


Challenge #50 - 1, 2, 3
Happy Friday, everyone!!

Our challenge this week is a recipe:

1 - image
2 - designer papers
3 - embellishments

Our sponsor is the fabulous:

Digi My World

with a MYSTERY PRIZE!

Head on over to the challenge blog and link up your creations!





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Some more colouring

Still working on light sources..quite pleased with the second image, decided not to use these on projects, I'm putting them in my colour journal to remind me of colours that work together.





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Blue buttons birthday at Cooking it up

Cooking it up with Katie is wanting you to try a new recipe this fortnight. We are after Blue, buttons and birthday themed cards. Be sure to check out the other DT creations too.
My project was a tad frustrating, I'm wanting to improve my colouring and I've enrolled in some online courses (see the blinkie on the left side bar) and the class I'm taking was about folds, pleats and working with the light sources (something I fail to do often)
I've realised I've been playing it safe with colouring, too light, no contrast etc so expect some changes in upcoming colouring.




I'm also playing with:-
Paper take weekly Anything Goes
Catch the Bug Anything Goes
Colour me creative classroomnavy/blues
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Busting out the rubber stamps Challenge

This week at the Card Makin Mamas we are busting out the rubber stamps.  Getting back to what initially inspired us with stamping.. yes ..the old fashioned way!    I must admit I still use rubber stamps quite a bit, of course I have my favourite digi stamp companies, but there is something therapeutic about actual stamping.. and often frustrating too!

I have coloured this gorguss girl with copics and tried my hand at adding highlights in the hair with prisma's, this is something im going to keep working at.  I have lots of colouring mediums so I may as well use them.  You never know.. I may even water colour my next project with the Tim Holtz Markers... stay tuned!   I coloured my leaf embellishment and flower with the copic airbrush to make it all blend in.


The sketch for this card is from Designed to Color - June/ July sketch challenge, be sure to go and have a look and play in the challenge over there too.  But most importantly.. link up your creations with us at Card Makin Mama's Challenge blog so we can come and comment on your work.  We are sponsorred by sponsored by Maria Levine, {ippity} from Unity

Sunny, Lace and Flowers at Cooking it Up with Katie

This week at Cooking it Up with Katie, we are after projects that use the following recipe
Sunny, Flowers and Lace.  I was lucky enough to play along in the Some Odd Girl Facebook Day on Saturday and got this lovely image on special, I printed it and coloured it nearly immediately.. well after I got a near perfect print and cut from my Cougar that is.  Im really happy with how she coloured, the inspiration for colours, came from the Colour Challenge over at Some Odd Girl.


Im really looking forward to seeing what you create and submit over on the Cooking it up with Katie challenge this week.    Its fun to see everyone's version of the recipe.

Challenges
Pile it on - Make your own embelishments
Fab and Funky - Cute and Girly
Liastampz- Summer
Love to Create - Anything Goes
Inspire me Fridays- Anything Goes


Supplies
Copics (didnt record colours sorry)
Sure Cuts a Lot Software
SVG Cuts - Nested Shapes and Tags, AC cardstock and copic airbrush colouring
Blackcat Cougar and Funtime Software
Kaszazz Sentiment and White lace
Kaiser Paper flowers coloured with Airbrush and Copics
DP - Basic Grey
Base Card and Black Card Stock and brads(from my stash)

Red, White and Blue with Bugaboo

This challenge from Card Makin Mama's is all about Red, White and Blue and we are happily sponsored by Bugaboo. Bugaboo does like to spoil us and we all got to pick an image to play with.

I picked Dotty Heels and printed it large and popped it on my cutter. This card will most likely be a teenagers birthday card.

Please head on over to Bugaboo to check out both the new and older images on offer, aswell as clicking on each of the DT's personal blogs. But also link up your creations on the Card Makin Mama's blog so we can come by and comment on your projects. I look forward to seeing your Red, Blue and White creations




Products used
Kaszazz: Lace die, embossing plate, crackle rollergraph card base, ribbon and Ezy Press
Bugaboo digital image
Nestabilities Cirlces
Copics
Craft Artist Digital Software - Printed Sentiment
Blackcat Cougar - electronic die cutter with funtime software


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More SVG projects

So as you know, i've been raving on about SVG cuts and their wonderful files.  I finally see extreme value in owning a cutting machine.  Sure they cut swirls and twirls etc but so do die cut and hand fed die cut machines... these 3d projects just make me smile!

I think I prefer the older distressed typed finishes but my kids like the bright options.  The flash has made these projects look brighter than they are in real life.  But you get the general idea!

I used my brand new Gina K stamp on the tag on the heart box and im thrilled.. the stamps come with a plastic sheet to store stamps on, a nice addition and something I would normally have to purchase.. so.. off you go and add Gina K stamps to your ever growing wish lists!  They are actually very economical and the quality is amazing.    Problem with them.. international post :(

The Dream stamp is a Kaszazz stamp and it comes in a set with lots of single words in the same font.. again.. Wish lists at the ready, or just ring me and Ill add it to an order for you.




Missing in action... Cooking it up with Katie

Im so sorry for my lack of posts for all my Design Teams, I have had a shocker of a month, with my husband away for work, starting a new job, a teenager that just is "trying" and then the passing of my father last week after a long illness.  Thankfully my craft is my calming time, and I have got to spend some time thinking about Dad as I crafted.  He loved that I was passionate (ok lets call it addicted) to craft and that it made me happy.

Cooking it up with Katie and Card Makin Mama's are both doing DAD themes this week and I couldnt bring myself to make a fathers day card, I did however make a card for my step mum, just to say im thinking about her.  So this is a DAD related project.

Our recipe at Cooking it up is
Dad/Man
texture
Metal

I love this new way to add ribbon that I learnt at our recent training day for Kaszazz, and I love the birdcage stamp they released.. the detail in it is beautiful.

This card is all Kaszazz using distress inks


I hope that you all enjoy this challenge and link up your creations over at the Cooking it up with Katie Challenge blog.  We look forward to seeing what you create and hearing what inspired you.

xxx Pen





Getting a start on Christmas

I recently mentioned SVG cuts and how I am thrilled that I can use SCAL with both my cutters, well.. here is todays little play.  I got loads of files a few weeks back and its going to take me ages to get through making them up.  I am wanting to do lots of thoughtful, handmade and home cooked little gifts this year for xmas, instead of the big rush and panic of what to get people.. often who dont need or want anything anyway.  So its more a case of a gift because I want to, if that makes sense.

My plan is to make up little gifts for people and pack them in these beautiful boxes, images my house at Christmas time with beautifully coloured and decorated gift boxes... makes me happy just thinking about it.

This file is from the Christmas Gift Bags and Boxes set
I just put a brand new blade in the cutter after doing the initial cut on the bag, that tiny little tuft of paper on the handle bugged me.. the new blade fixed all cuts following that one!  For those people that often have tearing issues with their cutters.. consider a new blade, lower blade depth and lower your speed.  I kept the disguarded blade for vinyl cuts or for when im in an emergency and any blade will do.  But lets face it, a new blade will give beautiful cuts and our paper will be perfect.  I hadnt changed my blade in a long time.. it was long long overdue!  Thanks for stopping by.

In loving memory




I miss you Dad xxx
8th December 1941 - 24 June 2012

Things ive been making

I recently was introduced to SVG cuts.   I have never used other formats of cutting files on my cutter, as I didnt know I could, but im converted and the files from SVG cuts are beautiful.  This card, although crooked (user error) was simple to make.. just pick paper.. cut and glue.  The fonts are what I love though, they cut like butter and were smooth and no tears, no anyone with a digi cutter knows what a delight that is when achieved.   This card is tiny, about 4 by 3 inches.  I believe it imported weird into my funtime software, i have since recut it in Sure cuts a lot v.3 and its not that small.  I like the small size though, nice for a little gift card.

This is from the everyday card set on SVGcuts.com well worth the money to go and have a buying spree...ask me how I know!

Card Makin Mamas Chalkenge - Flowers

This week we are sponsored by Paper Issues ad we are after a Card using Flowers. How easy can it be!
I expect our brand new DT will be commenting a lot during this challenge!

Here is my contribution, I played with distress inks and a flower flourish background last week and made this autumn background, and my image was added and wallah...easy and simple!




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Happy Hanging Hearts

Have you been to the Cooking it Challenge Blog today to see what our new challenge is? Let me help you out, our recipe for the next fortnight is
1. Happy
2. Hanging (dangle something)
3. Hearts

I had fun with this one, I hadn't used my die cutter machine in a while so it got a work out. And how cute are the monkeys, I decided to use the same image three times to symbolize my three monkeys (my kids)/

This card is for my husbands birthday, my monkeys are hanging and so is the sentiment tag!...

Oh ive finally learnt to let stickles DRY before finishing projects, it makes all the difference in the world... taken me.. many messed up projects to learn this.




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Ticked Pink at Card Making Mamas

How spoiled are the DT at Card Makin Mamas, we got to choose our images from Ticked Pink, the only negative was, I want them all.
I chose the very sad looking Lillith, she is pretty no doubt but looking a tad miserable.

Our goal this week was to use a photo for inspiration, I've not used that technique much but it's an idea I may use more often in the future.






I came up with the Card below, which I'm quite happy with. I used my new expression rubber stamp from Kaszazz for the sentiment, I got a bit crazy and ordered 4 sets of sentiments, they are all in the same script but themed for thanks, sorry, thinking of you etc, and perfectly sized for cards. Love it!






I'm really looking forward to seeing your creations, don't forget to link up your work at The Card Makin Mamas so we can come and comment.

The new DT starts in early May, be sure to send them some love too!


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