A creative week.

Hi Lovelies,

This last week I have had a very creative time.  I have managed to make use of my Scraps and some digital images that I had previously coloured.  I am trying very hard to not cut up or buy anything new.  I want to thin out my supplies some more. So I managed to put these cards together with bits from my pp "leftovers" stash.

These four cards I put together using images that I had previously coloured and not done anything with.  Which made for some quick cards.  I decided to do something a little different with the "Princess" card.  I was inspired by this challenge that was on Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers.  I was too busy to put it in as second entry.  Apparently being a mother means I actually have to do "Mum" things, Who knew right?

Lilly had a friend over earlier today for a playdate.  So last night I made cupcakes, the icing and the mixture for mini quiches.  So that all I had to do today was make this card, cook the quiches and ice the cupcakes.

Zoe hasn't been well lately so she wanted me to make Zoe a get well card.  Bill picked out the image chose the purple for the mermaid and the sentiment that she wanted.  So while I was making this card, "The Mongrel Bloody Dog" decided to eat all 24 mini quiches that I had cooling on the bench (they had just come straight out of the oven).  Pippa the poohead is very lucky to be alive now, as well as big girl.  Emsy was in the same room as the dog & didn't see her eat anything off the bench.  Grrrrr at least we got to eat the last 6 that where cooking while Pippa was banned from the house.  Kids & dogs who'd have 'em!  At least the playdate was a success.  We even saw Doug once, he's dying from "Man Flu" at the moment.  Although Amanda (Zoe's Mum) thought I sounded worse than Doug.  Apparently my cold has affected him way worse than me.

Have a great day & happy crafting.

Another Dad? card

Hi Lovelies,

Okay so I'm entering this card into two challenges.  Firstly I'm using the sketch from Try Stampin' on Tuesday.  I flipped the sketch & added a second row.  Hope that's okay.

 

This is also my entry for Die Cut Divas.  Over on their blog this month's challenge is August Vacations.  So for this card to be eligible for the Die Cut Divas challenge, an explanation maybe in order.

When I was a little girl (about 30 ish years ago now) we lived in Western Australia.  Now for those of you that don't know W.A. that well it's on the large side (and maybe one of the largest states in Australia).  I've lived all over W.A. but mainly in the northern parts think 12 hours (driving) north of the capital Perth.   My Nanna lived about 2 hours south of Perth in a place called Mandurah. A very pretty beachside town.  So every time we went on vacation (we visited Nanna a lot) we had to drive to get there.  In fact on my last holiday to W.A. we spent about 7-8 hours driving from Perth to Shark's Bay. With a very cranky 2 yr old and a 6 yr old in the car.   It was well worth the long drive - my mum was laughing (she was in her own car) as she could see an arm continuously feeding biscuits to the cranky 2 yr old for the last hour of the trip ;D.

Have a great day & happy crafting.  To see my first post for today please check it out here.

Butterfly Love

Hi Lovelies,

I thought today I would share with you some pictures of where I craft.  Doug, the kids (sometimes) and I all share a small space, we call the office.  Just a few days ago I did a revamp of my "side".  Now it seems like we have more room and I do infact have space to use when I decide to attack the cube storage system on Doug's side.  So not looking forward to that.  It's chock full of my sewing stuff and some office stuff.  But hopefully it won't be as painful as I think.

My desk use to be in front of the window, so now it's next to Doug's desk with my old paper storage rack in the corner with my stereo on top of it.  Also when I craft my laptop just fits up there.  I'm thinking the stereo needs a new home.  Maybe on the floor  on on one of the lower shelves on the side of my desk.  I'd hate to knock off my laptop and knowing my luck that would happen.  So far my new space seems to be working.  I've told the tribe that my stuff/area is off limits.  I get sick of see about two foot of "crap" on top of my desk all the time.  Today I found fluffy dice on my trolley - thanks Bill.  I swear that girl does this to drive me crazier.  

The other day I decided that I was "wasting" way too much time on trying to find the right colour Distress Ink for my projects.  Even though I have them all right in front of me  me in the black shelving unit on my desk.  So I came up with this idea.   I have something similar on canvas that I made years ago.  But I think because it got way too much light some of the colours have faded.  It's still a pretty piece of art but not useful.  So I decided to make a new chart.  I used the Hero Arts butterfly from one of the digi kits I got years and years ago.  Printed up five pages of eight butterflies.  Yep I have nearly that many colours.  I then proceeded to colour them all in and cut them out.  I used two pieces of Bazzil "French Vanilla" which I cut into four, six inch squares.  I then used glue dots to adhere the butterflies into what I think are similar colours, wrote the colour beside each one and blue tacked them to the wall in front of my desk.  So simple & pretty.  I inked the edges of the c/s with Walnut stain just to give them a border.  I figure this was the simplest way to do display my colours and a cheap way  that lets me add to them if needed.  

Well beautiful peeps I'm off to wrangle kids, "stupid" the dog and maybe a husband if he is awake. 

Have a great day sweeties....

Watercolour Butterfly

Hi Lovelies,

Today I'm entering one card into three challenges.

Firstly I used this sketch as the starting point for my card.  And from CASology I used this week's theme of Watercolour.  Also I'm entering the "Pop of Colour" here.  I hope I haven't added too many layers for either challenge.  But I wanted to use watercolour paper as my base.  Then added two die cuts, a butterfly and three gems.  The purple squiggle behind the butterfly is my watercolouring attempt.  For me this is about as "clean and simple" as I've ever gotten.

Thanks for dropping by today.  Hopefully I will get around to my favourite blogs again soon & leave you all some love.   Have a great day sweeties.............

Drifting away.

Hi Lovelies,

Today I have a canvas to share with you all.  

I have used four different stencils & one Die from Dreamweavers to create this pretty canvas.  I used the following die & stencils:

• LG755 Sailboat
• LG611 Stone Wall
• LL3026 Nouveau Wisteria
• LL3003 Hot Air Balloon
• DX7020 Leafless Tree (Die)

I used a lead pencil to draw certain parts like the wall, boat & hot air balloon.  I then coloured all the stenciled areas with Copics.  The lake & sky I coloured with  Distress Inks.

Don't forget to pop over to Die Cut Divas blog to see how my  fellow Divas have used these stencils.

You're going to love the new Die Cut Diva challenge :)

Hi Lovelies,

I'm here to share a sneaky peek at my card for our latest challenge over at Die Cut Divas for February.   I think you are going to love this challenge.  Plus the prizes are just fantastic.  Let's just say there is more than one winner for our challenge this month.  So please pop over here to  see what my fellow Divas have created.  

TSOT sketch challenge #153 Keep Warm

Hi Lovelies,

Yes I'm back into the swing of things I hope.  This weeks' wonderful sketch from TSOT is wonderful.  As you will see if you pop over to the blog & check out my fellow DT members take on the sketch.  This week's theme is to keep warm.  Personally I want cooler weather as we are heading for  high 30's  (Celsius) as I write this.  Might even hit 40 with a 40% chance of humidity  - YAY! not!

So to all of you in the "cool zone" I hope this card warms you right up.  I finally am getting around to colouring some Digi images like this one, that I had printed up ages ago.  This is a larger card measuring 6" x 6".  I'm also  using a new Dreamweaver stencil on the top panel.  The pp is from Stella & Rose by MME.  The sentiment is from Hero Arts.  

Sketch #151 TSOT

Happy New Year everyone!

I am back recharged & ready to go.  I've been on a forced "holiday" from crafting since the beginning of November last year.  Starting with Emsy's school play, then a week away & finally three weeks of visitors (Hi Mum & Jules).  Today was the first time I even ventured into my favorite scrapping shop to pick up some much needed supplies & maybe one or two treats (tee hee) ;p.

I am so lucky to be able to rejoin the DT for Try Stampin' on Tuesdays.  I have to say this is one of my favorite sites, for great challenges. I especially love the "extras" for each sketch.  Which is a fairly new idea, but a really great one I think.  So here is this week's sketch & the twist - Love plaid.

   

I used an image from the Greeting Farm that I had coloured with Copics last year.  I used Die-namics Pierced Rectangle Stax & then coloured the background with Distress Inks.  For the plaids I used Washi tape on white c/s & then a banner die from Spellbinders.  The love part is the sentiment.  

Doug's mum Eileen fell & broke her arm just after the New Year.  At first the doctors thought she'd broken her elbow, but it turns out the break is above the elbow.  She had surgery a few days ago after being transferred from one hospital to another.  So this card will be finding it's way to her very soon. 

 I hope that I have inspired you to check out Try Stampin' on Tuesdays & to see what my fellow DT members have come up with.     

A Deer card

Hi Lovelies,

This card is for two challenges, Lily Pad Cards Kathy's Colour Palette & Try Stampin' on Tuesdays latest sketch.  Although I must admit I did struggle with the sketch, but am hoping the circle counts.  I started out with pale blue c/s & emossed it with the Swiss Dot folder.  I then used a white gel pen to go over all the dots.  The Deer is from Darkroom Door (one of my most fav Christmas sets) & the sentiment is from Hero Arts.  I also used Tim Holtz Distress inks in Aged Mahogany, Rusty Hinge & Wild Honey.  I used a circle die from Nestibilities & a fancy tag from them as well. 

Thank you for stopping by today & have a great week ahead.  As always happy crafting everyone xoxoxoxo

A card at last ;)

Hi Lovelies,

Finally after such a long time I've done it - made a card.  Phew this feels good!  As soon as I saw this sketch from Try Stampin' on Tuesday latest challenge, I knew what I wanted to do.

I have flipped my sketch so it sits horizontally, but other than that have kept it pretty well the same.  I was inspired to use a Bugaboo Digi image (one of my most favourite sites).  The papers are from My Minds Eye's Stella & Rose, thank you so much Alice.  I love them to bits. 

Well as usual chaos is running rampent upstairs so have to go. 

Hugs to you all & happy crafting xoxoxoxoxoxo 

You hoo

Hi Lovelies,

This card is for Try Stampin' On Tuesday's latest challenge here.  A rather tricky little sketch that reminded me of a tree (christmas tree to be exact), not really sure why?  Any ways I thought I would stick with the tree theme & "attempt" to do another one layer card (so not my strong point).  Well I almost got it right.  Then I didn't, I added the owl afterwards.  I thought just for something different I would have him hanging around upside down.  Not sure why, must have been in a really silly mood or something.  Am now thinking I shouldn't have done it ;P

I am also going to "brag" just a little - I made the top 3 for last week's sketch.  I must admit I was so chuffed.  I know bragging isn't becomming, but it was a great pick-me-up.

Have a wonderful weekend every one & happy crafting xoxoxoxoxo 

Deborah's CCC

Hi everyone,

I have to be quick - Lils' doesn't want to be in the play-pen (darn kid).  Here is my card for the current Lily Pad CCC.  I have done a tutorial here on a simular card. 

Believe it or not this card will fold down flat :D.  I decided to colour the froggy blue to match the Lily pad frog & the bikini is one of the themes.  So I downloaded a freebie clip art Bikini for my washing line.  Well I'd better free the beast err........baby.  Have a great week & happy crafting everyone xoxoxoxoxoxo

CPS & CAS-ual Fridays

Hi there,

Well I have some rare 'me time' today so I have made this card very quickly (about 5 minutes) for two challenges this time. 

I am using this sketch from CPS-Card sketches.  I am also using this challenge from CAS-ual Fridays.  I made the background paper with Rangers Perfect Pearls Mist in Forever Blue on watercolour paper.  I then swiped the edges with Faded Jeans Distress ink.  The bird cage is a Hero Arts stamp.   The "table" is coloured with distress inks (I can't remember which ones) on water colour paper & cut with a Martha Stewart punch.  I used Copics Y35 & YR63 on the flower in the birdcage.

Thanks for stopping by & Happy crafting everyone xoxoxoxoxo

Almost a one layer card

Hi,

Today I have an almost one layer card to share with you.  I was inspired by Alice to try her wonderful cloud backgrounds.  Alice has done a tutorial on it here.  I've long been an admirer of her clouds & was surprised at how easy it is to make them.  Mind you about halfway through layering my clouds I remembered that I do have a plastic template of clouds (& sea) so will give that a go next time.  I used this wonderful sketch from Card Patterns.  I am delighted with how this card turned out.  I've basically used Distress inks to "colour" the c/s into pp.  I did stamp the butterfly seperately & attached it to the card after colouring it in with copics.  I also changed the colour of the lace with ink & water in a mini mister to suit the card. 

Thanks for stopping by & have a great week :D - Happy crafting everyone xoxoxo

Supplies:
Distress Inks: Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Stormy Sky, Bundled Sage, Shabby Shutters,
Versafine Inks: Sepia, Onyx Black,
Momento Ink: Tuxedo Black
Vivid Ink: Olive (for the lace)
Versamark Pen
Hero Arts Stamps: Cl 151 (Share Laughter), Cl 309 (Whoo loves you), Cl 342 (Everyday sayings) CG 196 (Canvas Stripes)
Copics: Y35, Y38, YR04, YR 68
Cuttlebug
Nestibilities: Tags
Embossing Powder: Red Blush (unknown brand)
Heart button (unknown brand)
Scrappers floss: Neutral

Dino-mite Day

Hi everyone,

Here is a card I have made for the latest sketch challenge at CPS-Card sketches.
Here is the sketch & my card.

As soon as I saw the sketch I knew I wanted to use this Greeting Farm stamp with these papers.  I coloured the dinosaurs simular to the pp.  The sentiment was computer generated.

Happy Crafting everyone xoxoxoxoxoxo

Supplies:
Paper: Scraps from the stash
Stamp: The Greeting Farm O & A Happy Day
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black
Distress Inks: Tumbled Glass, Bundled Sage & Rusty Hinge,
Copics:
Hair: E25, E27, E29
Skin: R00, E95
Shirt: E35, E25, E27, YG17, G07
Dinosaurs: YR04, YR68, R05, G02, YG09, G07, BG000, B00, B01, B02
Pants: B95, B97
Shoes: E35, E25, E27,
 

A new challenge :D

Hi everyone,

I am back with another card for a new challenge.  This time Lily Pad Cards is having a challenge.  You can get all the details here.  Here is my card

I wanted to keep to the simple lines of the sketch so came up with this.  As per usual this is another scrappy card.  I added a bit of sparkle to the balloons with Diamond Glaze & raised the oval up with pop dots.  I hope you enjoy :).

Supplies
scrap paper
twine
Penny Black 30-012 Bubbly
Copics:
Cat: W1, C1, C3, C5, RV02, E000
Balloons: BG000, BG10, G00, R17, R46, R59, B00, B01, B02, BV00, BV02, BV04, YR04, YR68, R05, G02, YG09, G07
Distress Ink - Tumbled Glass
Diamond Glaze
Nestibilities Ovals
Cuttlebug
Pop Dots

Jingle Belles - Batman smells (Happy April Fools' Day)

Hi everyone,

Yes this is another Christmas card.  I am determind not to repeat last year's disaster!  This week's challenge is to "make a humorous card for the holidays".  I used Gus from Bugaboo Stamps for this card.  My loving dh let me buy a few digi stamps today & boy did I have a hard time trying to limit myself to three of them.  Hmmm maybe next week I can get a few more? ;P

I have a saying that I use a lot sometimes.  "I'm not evil - just misunderstood" (what does that tell you about me mwhaaaaaaa!).  I changed it just a tad just for this card. 

Supplies:
Bazzil, 
Bugaboo - Gus digi stamp
Copics: Fur Trim W-1,
Boots C-5, C-7,
Skin 100, E000, E00,
Santa Suit & Hat R46, RV29, R59,
Chair E31, E33,E35,E 29,
Background BG000, B00
Distress Inks: Tumbled Glass, Broken China & Faded Jeans
Sentiment computer generated using Comic Sans script
Heidi Swap chipboard stars
Cuttlebug & cirlce Nestibilities

Hi everyone,

This is just a share, today.  Not for anything in particular.  A while ago the very lovely Kathy shared with everyone this amazing colour chart.  Which I thought was such a fantastic idea.  I loved the idea of seeing at a glance what a particular colour was & to top it off I think it makes great wall art.  So here is my version of Kathy's  colour chart using Hero Arts digi Flutterbies found here.  I have also used my Cuttlebug & Nestibilities Label Four & Nestibilities Tags.  I wanted to be able to see what the colours would look like stamped, coloured & brushed around the edges.  Since I am a visual person.  I also needed to have the names put on each butterfly so I could just grab it at a glance.  So I decided to do a "Specimen Board" with my butterflies. 

I took this into my LSS to show them as they helped me with a few little issues I had.  Like how to "glue" the labels to the canvas & what I could use for pins.  I was really honoured & surprised when they asked me to make one for them :D.  So of course I did (it looks exactly like this one).  Any way thanks for taking a peek.

Happy crafting everyone

Supplies:
Canvas 45cm x 45 cm
Tim Holtz Distress Inks
Nestibilities Label Four & Tags
Cuttlebug
Kaiser craft Paint: Sea Breeze
Kaiser craft Dewdrops
Modpodge
Hero Arts Digi kit Flutterbies
 

Deborah's CCC for March

Hi everyone,

By now you would know (& probably partook in one or two) of Deborah's CCC challenges.  Well this month my partner was the very lovely Anette.  So here is what I've made for her :D.

I tried to stick to the colours that Deborah gave as this month's options as well as the sketch for the card.  The pad I made because, well don't tell anyone but I ran out ideas & mojo.  This was the best I could come up with.  Usually I like to make a few cards to send to my partner.  I am hoping that Anette likes these.

I want to show you what a gorgeous card I got from Vera as well. I just love everything about it. So simple (something I love, but can't seem to do) & beautifully done. Plus I also got some gorgeous lace as well. Thank you so much Vera :D I smile every time I see this card, which is a lot. :D xoxoxo

Thanks for stopping by & happy crafting everyone.
PS Am feeling much better today, thanks for the kind words :D xoxoxoxoxoxo

Thomas's birthday card + CPS sketch challenge 210

Hi everyone,

A friend's son recently turned three & unfortunately we couldn't make it too his birthday party.  Which gave me time to whip this card up for him.  I used the latest CPS sketch here.  I just love this Greeting Farm stamp & am hoping the little boy in question likes dino's just as much as this guy does.  I used my Copics on the image & distress inks.  I then raided my stash of scraps for the rest.  Actually it's more like I had to use up some of the s"CRAP" on my desk.  It's going to take at least a couple of hours to clean up & see my desk I'm sure.  I am certain that the paper is breeding!!!  I mean what else can it be? ;P.  So with that I'm off to either die by paper avalanche or clean up (wish me luck!).  Happy crafting everyone xoxoxoxoxoxo

Copics used: B24, B95, B97, C-1,C-3,C-5,C-7, G20, YG11,YG17, R29, R46, R59, R00, E00, E25, E27, E29, E31, E33, E35

Distress inks: Tumbled Glass, Bundled Sage,

Stamps: The Greeting Farm

Inks: Momento Tuxedo Black.

Paper: Scraps.