Crouching Dog Graphics

Every day spent with my wee grandson is a very happy day!  Dennis and I drove down to Tamworth last week end to visit the smallest member of the Crouch Clan. He’s absolutely adorable.  I could honestly almost eat him…………

I’m not the greatest photographer in the universe and babies are the most difficult subjects sometimes.  I wanted to post this LO to show you how you can ‘disguise’ a nasty on a photograph.  The bottom photo on this LO was difficult in as much as Xavier moved his arm just as the photo was taken, so it appeared as a very blurry blob on the bottom of the pic.  I didn’t want to crop the photo any more than I already had because there is some cute colour on Xavier’s T shirt and I really wanted that to stay.  So after a quick flip through my Stampin’ Up! DSP I found that I did have a little (and I mean only a little) of the Under Big Top DSP left.  This sheet was perfect.  I then punched out a bunting using my Petite Pennants Punch, some lettering and voila!  Instant success.  So don’t be frightened of scrapping a pic that’s not absolutely perfect.  Give it a try to disguise.

Recipe for Success:

Cardstock – Real Red 12 x 12, Tempting Turqoise, Daffodil Delight and Old Olive

DSP – Under the Big Top

Punch – Petite Pennants Punch

Big Shot and Timeless Type Alphabet and Simple Letters Alpha

Hemp Twine

and of course the most important of all!  One sensationally adorable grandchild.

Until next time stay happy and stay stampin’

Cheers

Jacqui

Have your own way!  Start your own business or become a hobby demonstrator.

Whatever your reasons you can join Stampin’ Up! today and completely choose your  starter kit to suit YOU! for just $169!

Select your own kit by choosing $235 worth of any of our  products. SU will add in a business supplies pack valued at $80 (to help you get your business started) and you’ve got products to the value of$315!

That’s how simple it is to Do Things Your Way!

To  sign up just send me a quick email on jacquicrouch@iprimus.com.au and I’ll get you started into your own business or just receiving a very healthy discount on your supplies.  OR BOTH!

As if that wasn’t enough for the month of May  SU have also added the following special:

So just in case you cannot quite believe this special  the deal is if  you join Stampin’ Up! this month, you pay only $169,  you are able to select your own kit (i.e. you get to choose EXACTLY what you want) AND you will RECEIVE FREE OF CHARGE Designer Series paper each month for the rest of the year! How good is that?

So call/email me now to join my Bent Ink-linations team and enjoy free team training week ends, all assistance that you require to run the business/hobby that you want – YOUR WAY.

For those that choose not to join SU there’s still some free goodies for your this month.   Get a free pack of Designer Series Paper (that’s 12 sheets of 12×12 double sided designer paper,  when you buy three packs (so buy three and you’ll be getting one free – that’s a whopping great saving of 25%!  – Bargain).

I just love free stuff, and I want you to have all the free stuff that you can get your hands on.  So don’t wait.  Call me now on 0410 681486 to arrange a time to discuss starting your very own business in your very own way or we can talk about your next demonstration/workshop or technique class.

Cheers

Jacqui

Once our four children left home they were difficult to get all together again in one spot!  They became very busy adults with careers, love lives, travelling and studying.  So when they all came home for Tony’s 18th birthday I hired a photographer to be there the next morning to take some photographs.  Oh yeah!  there were lots of whinges and complaints about getting up the next day (the morning after the night before……..), having to look good.  Having to take orders from not only Mum but the man with the camera.  However after it was all done they were glad that they’d made the efforts.

This DLO is for Joe’s album.  It’s a little busier than my normal stuff but Joe’s a fairly ‘busy’ individual, so it suits him well.

This is, of course, a blatant CASE of the LO on the front cover of the ‘just retiring’ Summer Mini catalogue.  However I just love the colours and they were so ‘Joe’.  Looking at the pics and doing the Maths, Tony is going to be 29 next birthday.  It’s taken me almost 11 years to get these done!  OMG how far behind am I?

Come back and visit me soon because I’ve been putting the finishing touches to my Convention swaps.   So I’ll be giving you a sneak peek at those.

Until then, stay happy and stay stampin’

Cheers

Jacqui

Those of us that are parents pride ourselves in being role models and teaching our children skills that we hope will hold them in good stead in the world.  Our children spent their formative years living in idyllic conditions in the country.  At various times we had all manner of animals,  but in pride of place were ‘my girls’.  I loved my girls dearly and now that we’ve retired and do bits and pieces of travelling it’s not practical nor fair that I have girls now.  So reluctantly I agreed not to have a chicken coop in Tenterfield.  However!  I would have thought that Tony would perhaps have picked up some chook keeping tips whilst we were living in the country.  Obviously not!

One day recently at their home in Tamworth suburbia a chook appeared in their front yard.  He had a fair idea from which direction it had wandered so set about taking her home.  Amber tells me that this escapade was a lot like calling a horse.  Tony could be heard saying “Here chook.  Nice chookie. Following me chook.”  Oh dear!  Just as well he is a great Dad, Husband, mathematician and musician  ’cause chook whisperer he aint.

Thanks Amber for capturing the ‘moment’  (I think…..)

Most of the stuff that I’ve used here is retired.   I simply cannot part with my SU Deisgner Series Paper.

Thought you may like a different angle/slant on the pic.

I’ve a busy couple of weeks ahead.  Next week is a class in Tenterfield and the week after I have one in Stanthorpe, so if you are in the area and fancy a class, give me a call and book yourself in for a couple of hours of fun and great company.

Then I’ll be working on my ‘swaps’ for convention.  Cannot wait to catch up with all those fellow demonstrators and see what creations they have to share.

Until then stay happy and stay stampin’

Jacqui

 At long last I have had some time in my studio doing stuff for moi!  (as opposed to doing stuff for everyone else).  I’ve had this stamp set – Apothecary Art – for a couple of weeks now and the only thing I’ve got to do with it up to now, is mount it.  How sad is that???  Well once I started I couldn’t stop.  It’s just the most versatile stamp set and used in conjunction with the word stamp set – Loving Thoughts – it’s just so incredibly versatile (not to mention addictive!)

This pic is of just two of the cards and envelopes that I did today.  There are lots of this stamp set using SU’s white gel pens out there at the moment, so of course I needed to give the technique a try.  I’m just so in love with it.  I actually used the white gel pen that I purchased when I first joined SU 5 years ago.  So that’s a fabulous testimony to the quality of those pens.  Indeed!  I’ve used the, new from SU, ‘Framelits’ to perfectly silhoutte the stamped images.  I just love these, they wizz through the Big Shot with such ease make perfect borders every time.

So in true Teneale Williams style I had to do something with the inside of the card and of course the envelopes.  I have a couple of ‘special’ birthdays coming up so these babies just might find themselves with one of those special ladies.

Hope you’ve enjoyed my ‘play’ samples.  Be sure to call back soon as tomorrow I’m going to have a play with another stamp set from the Autumn/Winter mini catalogue, Bordering Romance.

Recipe for Success:

Stamp Sets – Apothecary Art and Loving thoughts

Cardstock – Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Lucky Limeade and Calypso Coral

DSP – Berry Blossoms

Inks – Stazon

Pens – White Gel, Calypso Coral and Lucky Limeade and Wild Wasabi SWM

Ribbons – Calypso Coral Ruffled and White organza

Envelopes are SU’s own.  They are soooo gorjuss to use.  They stamp beautifully and you can feel the quality.

Accessories – Big Shot, Lattice Embossing Folder

Until next time stay happy and stay stampin’

Cheers

Jacqui

I’m so excited to be able to introduce Stampin’Up’s! new autumn/winter mini catalogue.  Without a doubt this is the bestest mini we have ever had.  Big statement do you think?  Well call me for your free copy and I know you are going to agree with me.  This mini has it all.  Simply Scored tool (far outweighs, outstrips, outperforms it’s opposition), Framlits (to die for – pardon the pun!), Edgelits,  Embossing Folders and the most sensationalist stamp sets – one with a matching punch!  Stampin’Up!  you’ve done it again.

Just click on the image to view the catalogue for yourself and if you want me to send you a hard copy, just drop me a line.  Love to do that for you.

Want some of it?  Place an order now.  Want lots of it?  Book your demonstration today.  Want all of it????  Talk to me about joining my team, The Bent Ink-linations and enjoy a healthy discount on all your purchases.

Cheers

Jacqui

This year I joined a Scrapping Challenge group.  One of the first challenges was to use fabric on a LO.  Well fabric and stitching and I don’t fit in the same sentence.  But!  It’s not called a challenge group for nothing.  So undaunted I pushed on.  I had this cute photo of Tony and Amber taken in their early courting days.  (how old fashioned does that sound???).  This pic was taken at a Chinese Restaurant in Armidale whilst Tony and Ams were studying at university.  They look so happy don’t they.  Dennis and I had driven to Armidale to have dinner with them (as you do!) and to meet Tony’s new ‘love’……..Amber.

Using fabric on a layout wasn’t anywhere near as difficult as I thought it would be.  Thanks to SU’s fabric adhesive sheets.  They  made a ‘fabric challenged dummy’ like me look like an expert.

Until next time stay happy and stay stampin’

Cheers

Jacqui

A few weeks ago I celebrated yet another anniversary of my birth.  Dennis and I don’t buy each other pressies any more but we do try and do something ‘special’.  He knows that I just love, love, love Jean-Claude’s restaurant at Mallanganee.  Jean Claude’s food with alltitude is as close as I’ve seen to genuine french cuisine.  Not just the food but the way it is served, the ambience, Evy’s amazing table service.  The only other place that compares is La Riviere (which unfortunately is now closed) which was near Lismore.  I actually remembered to take my camera this visit so am posting some pics for you to enjoy.

Damn those power lines!  Them aside this was the view from our table.  It’s like sitting on top of the world and eating the best food in the world.  Did I mention that this is my fave place to eat?

Yet another view.  Every way you look there’s green hills and blue, blue sky.

The bestest citrus tart and sorbet!

Chocolate profiteroles.  Yummmoooooooo!

The Man!  It was so lovely to sit and chat with Jean-Claude and hear about his cooking in France.

A huge thank you to my precious man for just ‘knowing’ what to do for my special day.   Thanks honey!

If you wish to visit Jean-Claude on line here is the link:  http://www.frenchrestaurantnorthernrivers.com.au/

Until next time stay happy and stay stampin’

Au revoir!

Jacqui

Frank Sinatra (amongst lots of other great performers) sang this song.  However I just love the Black Magic stamping technique.  I’ve done it in classes lots previously (mainly because it’s such a hit!) but when I was asked to do a workshop for either gorgeous ladies in Stanthorpe I  thought that Black Magic was needed to WOW them.  And!  WOW them it did.  They loved it.

These were the four cards that the girls made.

I usually start a workshop with the ‘easiest’ card and this was the first card that the ladies made.  It featured the SAB stamp set ‘Fresh Vintage’ (my personal fave!)  All cards of course used the White Craft Stamp pad, SU’s watercolour pencils and the white gel pen.

The recipe for success for this card is:

Cardstock – Marina Mist, Whisper White, Basic black and Lucky Limeade

Stamp Sets – Fresh Vintage and Sincere Salutations

Punches -Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer, 1 1/4 circle, Scallop Oval , large oval and Lace border

Ribbon – Marina Mist grosgrain

The next card started out as a Christmas card, but didn’t end up as one!!!! How often does that happen?  Ever?

The recipe for success for this one is:

Cardstock – So Saffron, basic black

Stamp Set – Season of Joy

Ribbon – So Saffron grosgrain

The third card was a bit of a challenge for me.  Anything using butterflies is a challenge for me.  I like butterflys (in real life) but in stamping projects weeellllllll………….

The recipe for success for this one is:

Cardstock – Garden Green, Basic black, Whisper white and Elegant eggplant

Stamp sets – Upsy Daisy, Perfect Punches

Big Shot, Beautiful Wings Sizzlets, Top Note Die

and the Grand Finale was my personal fave!

Recipe for this one is:

Cardstock – Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobler, Basic Black

Stamp Set – Button Buddies, Elements of Style (on the tags)

Punches – Circle scallop, Tiny Tag

Big Shot – Stripes embossing folder

Always Artichoke seam binding (oooohhhhheee this stuff is gorjuss), Linen thread

I hope you enjoy Black Magic as much as I do.  Please leave me a comment if you like the technique.

Until next time, stay happy and stay stampin’

Jacqui

Well at least now I have your attention.  Recently my Tenterfield class asked how could they use their small pieces of DSP that are left over from bigger projects.  So I jumped on the net annd scouted around for some great ideas.  I didn’t really have to look very far either.  The girls had requested that they do a variety of cards.  i.e. Christmas, kids, thank you etc.  So the pics below is what I came up with.  Some were inspired by others creations and some where just plain old ingenuity………..Crouch style.

This is the selection of cards that the girls made.

The Chrissy card on the right hand side of this pic is more of a copy than a CASE from the very talented Andrea Walford.  You can visit Andrea here andreawalford.com.  The close photo I took of this just didn’t focus properly so I apologise for the lack of close up, but it’s just strips of DSP cut with a border punch of your choice.  Very cute and not restricted to Christmas DSP either.

The next card was a kid’s card.  You all know how much I love our fur babies, so decided to look for a punch art puppy.  I found one done by Pat Carr from Western Australia.  Pat made this card for the SU Regional Training day in Perth.  However Pat doesn’t have a blog so I cannot link back to her.

The card below was inspired by the lovely Paula Dobson who you can (and should!) visit here stampinantics.blogspot.com.au.

This was such a fun card to make and sooooo easy peasy.  Another great way to use up tiny pieces of DSP and how cute is it?

The next card was to cover the ‘bloke’ card in the selection.  Using the two sized square punches and the big shot to run the lattice embossing folder, this card ended up looking really great.

The final card has been around for some time, but it’s one of my faves.  Using the Top Note Die and Big Shot together with some faux stitching, this always looks oh so quilting!

I hope you’ve enjoyed our ‘bits’ class.  Be sure to come on back and visit again because I’ve taken some photos of the recent Black Magic class that I did in Stanthorpe.  I know you’re going to love them!

Until then stay happy and stay stampin’

Jacqui