Head on over to my new blog page!

Hi everyone,

Thanks for following my journey on this domain but I now have a new blog site, so please follow the link below for another journey!

Miss Jane's Classroom Blog

Thanks so much! See you soon :-)

Cheers

Miss Jane

Challenge me a Christmas Card with Michelle Lupton

Hello fellow cardmakers!

Wow it's been a year already since I did this challenge for Michelle Lupton! My goodness the years are just going faster and faster aren't they!!

I'm always tickled pink when Michelle asks me if I'm interested to participate, of course I am!! LOL So here's my challenge - Watercolour Holly. 

I hand drew this image then coloured it using Peerless Watercolours and watercolour pencils. 

The Fa la la la la stamp is from Hero Arts Clearly Kelly Purkey set  from Sassy Scrappers. 

I'm never too sure when to finish when I do watercolour, I'll keep adding colour then I'll dilute it,  I would shade around the image, draw out

ine details then wish I didn't, I'll then add shadows and then think "Just stop Jane"!! It's fine!! LOL, who else does that?

Anyway here's my card for the challenge, I had much fun again and can't wait to see what Michelle has created!! Check out her wonderful blog here. 

Anyway thanks for stopping by, enjoy all the wonderful cards and I hope this and all the others give your wonderful inspiration!

Happy creating!

Miss Jane

Reflection card using Darkroom Door stencils and stamps

Hello there my fellow cardmakers!

Well I'm such a lucky person, I got to play with these awesome stamps and a new stencil from Darkroom Door! Creating this reflection card was so easy using Darkroom Door small rectangle stencil, I've added step by step pictures and simple instructions below (hope they're okay, it's late in the evening and I should be sleeping LOL) 

Hopefully I can show you how simple it was to create this card, and that you'll have a go!

Step 1. Place the rectangle frame stencil in the top section of white card and secure it in place with Washi tape. Sponge Distress Oxide inks salty ocean and lucky clover inside the rectangle frame as shown.

Step 2. Dab a wet paintbrush over a few areas and press a clean cloth over it to remove the ink.

Step 3. Reposition the stencils below the sponged area so it slightly overlaps the bottom sponged area, secure with Washi tape.

Step 4. Sponge Distress Oxide inks salty ocean and blueprint sketch as shown.

Step 5. Repeat step 2, try to match up the blotches (clouds) to give the reflective illusion. Dry it completely.
Step 6. Position the stencil back over the top section then stamp a Nature Walk image in this section using Distress Oxide black soot ink, fill in any gaps at the bottom using the same ink.

Step 7. Place the stencil over the bottom section. Stamp the same image on the inner small rectangle stencil using Memento tuxedo black ink, this ink transfers easier and you get a clearer reversed image.
Step 8. Place the stamped stencil ink face down, try and line up the images so you get that perfect reflection. Press down all over to transfer the ink.

Step 9. Fill in any gaps using a dauber and more black soot ink.

Step 10. Remove the stencil. Fill in any areas where the images met using a black pencil the create water lines using a white pencil.

I found the stencils to be very sturdy, they didn't lift or move during the process, I loved that!! Also they're a great size for cardmakers!

Have a go, it's fun and the outcomes are so cool.

Thanks for visiting and thanks to Darkroom Doors for their awesome stamps and now awesome stencils!!

Happy creating

Miss Jane

Technique Tuesday Progressive Sale

Hello there fellow cardmakers!

Just sharing something exciting that's happening at Technique Tuesday, it's their progressive sale!! I had no idea that this happens every year!! I must live under a rock!

Anyway...what's a progressive sale you ask? Good question! Technique Tuesday every year need to make room in their warehouse for the new stock so they have a HUGE sale, which is fantastic for us don't you think!! The discounts increase as the sale continues but products are limited so you have to be quick, or you might miss out on what you want.

I think I might go and buy myself some Christmas pressies, I've been good all year.....so far LOL

Check it out here!!

Happy shopping my friends, thank me later xx

Cheers

Miss Jane

Technique Tuesday Dani the Deer

Hello there everyone!

Well I have a very adorable card to share with you today!! A NEW release from Technique Tuesday, Dani the Deer, isn't she just the sweetest deer you've ever seen!

I just had to create a forest background for her, this was made using my Copic markers. It did take me a few days and to be honest it nearly ended up in the bin, just from frustration and my strive for perfection! Urgh. I persevered and now I'm so happy how it turn out, Dani compliments the background so well, I was of course getting inspiration from Bambi, yep going back to my wonderful childhood days with those beautiful coloured illustration books

I styled my card out in my background, it makes it look so much more real and the light was perfect. I've had these two cute deer ornaments since January, I got them in after Christmas sales, bargain! They're so perfect for this shot aren't they?!

This Dani the Deer stamp set from Technique Tuesday has 11 great sentiments and everyone knows.... I absolutely love puns!! They're right up my alley and they can be used for so many wonderful, caring occasions!!

So go and grab a set of these stamps, you won't be disappoint. 

See ya, I'm off to play with Dani a bit more!

Happy Creating

Miss Jane

Heartcraft Paper Guest Designer - Merry Kisses

Hello there my fellow cardmakers!

I'm sharing the awesome November Release from Heartcraft Paper, yep I'm a guest designer until December, how lucky am I to get to play with such adorable images!!

I just fell in love when I saw this couple of penguins called Merry Kisses, aren't they just the cutest?!

To be honest I have never coloured in a penguin before and shading them black using my Copic markers made me nervous, but it was actually easy, well when I thought about where the shiny areas would be, I really enjoyed the process and I think you would too!

 I did add a bit of sparkle on the male using my Wink of Stella clear pen, couldn't help myself. 

I coloured over the sentiment as well, just to make it stand out a little and to match the ground that I created using my Copic markers. I stamped tiny snowflakes around the image which I think added a lovely touch of frost.

They're just adorable don't you think! You should check out the other designs, it's hard to choose or don't choose and just get them all LOL.

Thanks so much for checking out my blog, leave me some love if you think they're cute! Why not even check out Heartcraft Paper blog for more wonderful inspirations!

Happy stamping!

Miss Jane

Wendell the Whale from Technique Tuesday

Hello there fellow cardmakers!

Today I'm sharing this delightful cutie from Technique Tuesday, it's easy to fall in love with him!

I stamped him on watercolour card, coated him with a good coverage of water then used my Koh-I-Noor watercolour paints to shade him. I let the watery paints pool around and kept building up the beautiful blue hues. 

Once he was dry I completed the background with more blue paint and lots of water, then I let it dry. I lifted the colour in a few areas to create this bubble looking effect, simply dab a very wet paintbrush onto the background, let it sit there for a while then blotted it off with a clean cloth. 

Creates a cool effect don't you think?

The dotted curly spout lines is in the stamp set, I extended them to create a heart for the sentiment to sit in using a fine black waterproof marker.

I'm a sucker for puns, I just LOVE them! This stamp set from Technique Tuesday has 11 whale puns that are just adorable, from "Welcome Little Squirt" to "I Whale always be there for you".  How cute! So that means.....you can use Wendell the Whale for LOTS of occasions, it's certainly a very versatile stamp set, you've got to add this one to your collection!

Happy Creating

Miss Jane

                                                                   Hi everyone,

Well I'm very excited to say that I'm a Guest Designer at Heartcraft Paper, and I got to play with this awesome digital image called Snowman Caroling. Isn't this just the cutest snowman!! Yes I also made them snow girl too!! LOL

There are some other lovely images in the October Release from Heartcraft Paper, so go 

and check them out!!

Now those who know me, know I don't use a lot of digital images, no reason why, just hadn't really thought about them, how silly hey?! What have I been missing out on?? 

Especially since you have these cute images!!

I printed three images in a row then another two separately on blender card, I fussy cut the two single ones right to the edges,  they're all roughly 6cm (60mm) in height. I coloured them using Copic markers, I used the warm greys for the snow people bodies.

Oh gosh don't look too close, I think I need new contacts or glasses!! I went outside the lines in a few areas, oh well we're not perfect!

I attached the two front snow people using foam mounting tape then added a die-cut border to the bottom to look like mounds of snow. I glued on some sequins for a sparkly effect then trimmed the Heartcraft Paper sentiment and adhered it to the top of the card using foam mounting tape.

Well I hope I got you into the Christmas spirit, it's just over two months to go you know!!

So check out Heartcraft Paper and have a go with Digi images!

Happy creating

Miss Jane

Baby boy card

Hi there!

(catch up post)

Who doesn't like a galaxy background?! It goes perfectly with this Stampin' Up baby on a moon image, unfortunately the stamp set is retired now but hopefully you'll find something similar to replicate this card if you desire! 

I coloured the image using Copic Markers, made small ovals on the moon and shaded them to look like craters. I also sponged Distress Ink picket fence behind the circle frame so it would 

stand out more and look like the moons glow.

I need to make more of these cards I think. I do hope it has inspired you!

Happy Creating!

Miss Jane

Colouring outside the lines

Hi there! 

(catching up post)

Sharing a card I made a few months ago, I created soft watercolour hues to colour my floral images using Distress Oxide inks. I dabbed the ink pads on my Miss Jane's Classroom acrylic mat (any non porous surface will do), I picked up the ink with a wet paintbrush and coloured straight over my floral stamped images (Stampin' Up!). Yes it's hard to go outside the lines and not make a huge mess, but it's also very relaxing and satisfy too!

The Distress Oxide inks give a watery chalk effect that looks fantastic over your images. I also flicked some evergreen brough and antique Distress Ink over the top to add more detail.

I hope you have been inspired to have a try, just be free and keep going!

Happy Creating

Miss Jane

Michelle Lupton's Challenge me a Christmas Card

I was absolutely delighted when Michelle Lupton asked me to join her fabulous Michelle Lupton's Challenge me a Christmas Card! 

My challenge was to create a Christmas card using no green or red. My thoughts went straight to a watercolour winter scene of blue tones with deers, not the sort of Christmas' we have here in Australia but it's a style of card I've been wishing to create for years. 

I used a Christmas tree stamp with black ink, I applied the ink using various widths on the top portion of the pine tree image to create different sizes of trees. 
I die-cut Impressions Obsession deers and stag from watercolour card then coloured them using my all time favourtie colouring medium Peerless Watercolours from mybrush.com.au.

Thank you Michelle for including me in this wonderful event. My friends....you now need to head on over to Michelle's blog HERE and check out all her amazing creations, also be inspired by everyone else's challenge cards! So many talented people! 

For more of my cards please check out my Facebook page, Instragram and Pinterest pages.

Happy Stamping!
Miss Jane

Space card using Distress Oxide Ink pads

Hi everyone

I'm just loving these Distress Oxide ink pads!  I created the galaxy background by sponging Distress Oxide inks seedless preserves and peacock feathers in a few areas on black card. I watered down white paint, dabbed an old toothbrush in it and pulled back the bristles then flicked it over the card. I added a few more dots using a white gel pen and glue some silver star sprinkle on it too. 

The planets were coloured by applying yellow and orange shades of Distress Oxide inks on a non-porous surface, add water then dabbed the circles in it, drying between each application. I coloured the spaceboy with a selection of Distress Oxides ink pads using water and my favourite and the best paintbrushes from http://www.mybrush.com.au/

The stamp set is from You and Your Stamps, one of my favourites!

It's a very easy way to create a galaxy background, try it, use different colours and experiment!

Happy Stamping!

Miss Jane

Create a shadow on your die-cut sentiment

Hi everyone

Do you sometimes feel like your die-cut sentiments don't stand out enough on your cards? 

Try adding a black or darker shade of the same die-cut behind it! Glue it to the back of your sentiment by slightly offsetting it to create that shadow effect. 

I have used Stampin' Up! Bella & Friends puppy, Birthday Blooms flower, Stampendous butterfly, Heart Balloon unknown. Stampin' Up! Thinlits - Happy Birthday, assorted sequins and ink pads.

Why not try a bright colour underneath, would look great on kids birthday cards! Experiment and have fun!

Happy Stamping

Miss Jane

Exploring way to colour your images

Hi everyone,

Today I'm sharing a very different way to colour your stamped images. For this card I used the back of the actual stamp to add a block of colour over my stamped image. I have used Stampin' Up! Vintage Leaves with a selection of green Stampin' Up! ink pads.

Just remember the image is in reverse when you stamp it over the top, so they won't match perfectly but it still looks good!  I use a small amount of double-sided tape on my acrylic blocks to keep my stamp in place, if you don't like that option then just dab the back of the stamp on your ink pad, turn it over then place it on your stamped image and press. It should still give you a good application of ink to colour your image!

Have fun!

Happy Stamping

Miss Jane

Digital Image for Brain Cancer Foundation

Hi everyone,

Some of you may not know that my brother Alan was diagnosed recently with a brain tumour and has just finished his Chemo and Radiation, more tests to come. My brother is in great spirits and writes a "Tumour Humour" article on his Facebook page to keep everyone updated, this is what our family does and I love it! 

I wanted to organise a little fundraiser for the Brain Cancer Foundation, and what better way then to make a digital image of a cute little brain! I've never created a digital stamp before, but no courage no gain, I'm very slow when accomplishing new things on my computer!! 

This digital image is very special to me and I have called him Big Bro's Brain!

I am selling this digital image for $2 with ALL proceeds going to the Brain Cancer Foundation, I would love for you to buy it, create a beautiful card, show the world and share! I'm sure all of us have been affected by cancer in some way, yourself, a family member or a close friend.  Even with a small amount of $2 adds up to create bigger amounts!

I was blown away that I had reached my target of $100 in the first 24 hours!! I was thinking maybe I could sell 50 images at $2 each but everyone has been so generous and I'm so grateful for that.

If you would like to donate and receive this image then please go to the link below to my fundraising page, then message me with your email address and I'll send you Big Bro's Brain image for you to play with!

http://www.curebraincancer.org.au/my-fundraising/10485/big-bros-brain

If you don't use digital images then please contact me, I can print and send you images to play with.

I will be sharing cards along the way, giving you ideas on ways to use him.

I hope you like my image and thank you in advance 

Happy creating

Miss Jane

Quick and easy way to create a doily serving tray

Hi everyone,

I've had this idea in my head for a very long time, I LOVE doilies and wanted a serving tray as well. As soon as I saw this picture frame, my idea came together!! This frame cost $14 from a discount store and the doilies I had collected over the years, no family heirlooms in this one

because they're all packed away.

The first thing I did was to remove the backing from the frame, it had a cardboard insert included, if your frame doesn't have one, then cut one out of cardboard so it's slightly smaller than the glass in the frame, this allows the doilies to be folded over the edges, I didn't want to cut the doilies!!

I arranged my doilies over the cardboard insert, let some overlap and show a sneak peek of some others. When I was happy with the arrangement I then secured the doilies in place using double-sided tape to the backs of them, I used acid-free tape so no discolouring will happen down the track. Fold the overlapping pieces of the doilies to the back of the cardboard and secure them in place with more tape.

Place the frame with the glass in it face down on your work area, pop the doily cardboard piece on top so the folded ends are facing you. Gently turn it over, be careful it doesn't fall apart because we haven't secured the piece in place yet, you just want to check that all the doilies are flat and sitting correctly, I had to add more tape to secure some of the edges of the more detailed doilies.

Once you are happy, add a sheet of thin cardstock over the back of the work to hide all the folded doily ends, twist the tabs in place to keep everything secure. The back may bulge a bit from the doilies edges, but it will sit flat when on the table. 

I was looking ages for ornate handles, but opted for these that I found in a hardware store, they serve the purpose well and since the frame is pretty ornate the simplicity of them go well. I just screwed these in, it was very easy as the frame is plastic and they were short screws and didn't go right through the frame!

Leaving the glass in the frame also helps protect the doilies.

I hope I have inspired you to make one, it's such a lovely way to preserve your mum's or granma's precious heirlooms.

Cheers and happy creating!

Miss Jane

Depression

Hi everyone,

Today I'm sharing with you an assignment my daughter had submitted for her Uni degree, it's about her battle with depression, it's raw, confrontational and real! I too suffer from depression and it breaks my heart to think my beautiful girl has to endure it as well. I'm not anywhere near as bad as I was a few years ago, but I still have my dark days. I now manage and have mechanisms in place to get myself out of them relatively quickly, I've had tremendous help over the years and I'm also very lucky to have an understanding husband, loving family and lifelong friends who have seen me at my worst and still love me. I've learned to be kind to myself and to speak to myself as I would to a loved one. Gosh, I'm certainly no expert and unfortunately can't offer any advice, what works for me may not work for you, this I found out with my daughter. But all I can say is...just be kind to you, love you for who you are, no one is perfect, only God!

By the way, Eliza got a Distinction for her assignment. I couldn't be more proud of her and all the achievements in her life so far! I love you Eliza with all my heart <3 font="">

If you or someone you know has or who may be showing signs of depression, please see your GP for professional help.

Please read by clicking on link below, cheers.

Depression by Eliza Jane Clark

An old stamping technique but a goodie! Chalking!

Hi there,
I thought I would get my old Decorative Chalks out today and have a play with them for my Card Two of the 30 Days Colouring Challenge. I'm loving the freedom I have at the moment with not worrying about using old products, or if they are hard to get, or if they're discontinued. I know it doesn't help you or the businesses out there but I am mixing them with new products, I will enjoy getting back to exploring new products and mediums very soon. PanPastels are a great alternative product to use, these are available in most art stores and in some scrapbooking and cardmaking shops, the colours in the range are absolutely gorgeous.




I'm not particularly excited about this card, I like it but I don't love it! It's has too many bright colours for my liking, but making cards isn't about what you like sometimes, it's about what your recipient likes! Plus, I'm experimenting, hence why I'm doing this 'Colouring Challenge'.






How I created this card: First I stamped my My Favourite Things Blissful Butterflies on smooth white card with VersaMark ink, I applied the chalks over the top in a circular motion. Once I was happy with the coverage I added more detail around the body using coloured pencils to give them more shape and depth. 










For the background I used Hero Arts striped patterns stamp with VersaMark ink and a range of colourful chalks. I cut a selection of Stampin' Up! Flourish Thinlits from vellum and an Avery Elle 'Celebrate' from purple card. 

Happy Stamping

Jane