Frostyville Christmas Card

Good morning everyone! I hope everyone is well.

When I was down in Canberra it was great to catch up with my crafty friends. Mum and I always exchange bits and pieces from our stashes. It's a great way to try out different papers, inks and embellishments. 

I had afternoon tea with Phillipa and Trudi right at the end of my stay in Canberra. Phillipa and I did the same thing - Phillipa was lovely enough to give me some cardstock and I had some dies that Phillipa liked, so we spent some time cutting them out so she could have some. Now, Trudi isn't a 'crafty' person and was very patient with us while we did all this. Yay, Trudi!! lol.

Yesterday I received a package in the mail. Phillipa had put together lots of die cuts for me. It was such a lovely surprise and of course I had to start playing with them. 

Here is a card that I have made with the Frostyville Border die that was in my package.

With the package of dies that Phillipa sent me was a printout of a card that used this particular die and a die that I already own - Pine Tree Border. You can see the original card HERE. It was wonderful inspiration.

Once I had cut the Pine Tree Border, I embossed it with my Perfect Polka Dots folder to give the effect of snow.

The sentiment has been stamped with Versamark and embossed with silver embossing powder.

I would love to enter this card into the following challenges.

This Pine Tree Border reminds me of the Christmas Trees that would be cut so you could have a real tree.

Make My Monday - Flowers or Trees

613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes or create your own colour combo

I sorted through all my Christmas cards yesterday and still have so many to make! I had better get my skates on.

Thanks so much to Phillipa for my goodies!! xx

Thanks so much for looking xx

Supplies Used

• Cardstock - Brights cardstock stack, Whisper White (SU)
• Stamps - Heard from the Heart (SU)
• Dies - Pine Tree Border, Frostyville Border
• Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder (SU)
• Silver Embossing Powder (SU)
• Accessories - Versamark Ink, Heat Gun, Dimensionals, Double sided tape

ATSM Challenge #63 - Colours

Hi there everyone, I hope you are all well. I certainly AM. Back home now, safe and sound and back to usual. I am now feeling 100% better and thank you all for your good wishes.

We have a challenge starting right now over at Addicted to Stamps and More! and I hope you will be able to join in.

We have a colour challenge for you this week -

We have used Stampin' Up! colours as a reference but you can use whatever is closest in your stash.

Here is my DT card -

I have used some new things from my stash today. Thanks to Phillipa (stalker no.1), I now have some Real Red cardstock. I have used that for the base (obviously, duh) and the love hearts which are dies from my Hearts a Flutter Framelits. I have outlined them with a white gel pen. My other new addition is the DSP from the Season of Style paper stack. 

I'm loving my new background stamp which I inked up with Baked Sugar and stamped onto Whisper White cardstock. I first stamped it onto a scrap piece of paper and then onto the panel so it didn't overpower the whole design.

The little embellishment that is secured with the Hemp Twine is from my mum's stash so I'm not sure what it is called. Whenever I go back home, mum and I swap goodies and add to our collection that way.

So, over at ATSM we have a wonderful sponsor for you this week -

The prize will be a $25 gift voucher to their store!

I hope you will join in with us. Check out the wonderful projects from the rest of the DT at ATSM.

Thanks so much for looking xx

Supplies Used:

Cardstock: Whisper White, Real Red, Bashful Blue

Stamps: En Francais, Simply Sketched

Ink: Baked Sugar, Real Red, Marina Mist

Dies: Hearts A Flutter Framelits

Extras: Hemp Twine, White Gel Pen, Dimensionals

I'mmmmm baaaaaack!

Hello everyone!!! I'm back after nearly 4 weeks of not creating one single thing. Why? I am recovering from pneumonia. A lot of you may know that I made the big drive to Canberra to stay for a few weeks. The temperature difference is incredible (I went from humid and warm to very cold). Hence, a chest infection which turned into the dreaded pew-ne-monia... Luckily it wasn't a very bad dose but a few hours were spent in the hospital having tests and xrays done. I'm still a bit 'off'  but actually feel human again now. I am leaving to drive home on Saturday so I am trying to spend as much time now with my family before I go. 

Tomorrow my son and I are going to spend a couple of hours at the Australian War Memorial. He's a big lad so if I get tired I reckon he will piggy back me ;)

Anyway, we are here today for a new challenge that is on at Addicted to Stamps and More.

This week we want you to MAKE YOUR MARK. What does this mean? Well, you must use markers, pencils, crayons, chalks etc on your project. 

Here is my DT card -

Now, the best thing about recovering when you are sick is that you can still do your online shopping. I have a few new goodies to try but when I was so sick I couldn't even stamp something without being exhausted, and to have no inspiration to boot... 

Anyway, I am very happy with how my latest card has turned out. 

I have used my markers directly onto my stamps. 

I have decided that I am going to start listing my supplies at the end of my post instead of within my post. That way if you would like to know what I have used it will be much easier to see.

I was inspired by the colour palette over at the House of Cards which is hosting their CAS week. 

I would also like to link this card to these wonderful challenge -

Cuttlebug Mania - back to Nature

Thanks so much for looking xx

Supplies Used:

• Cardstock - Whisper White, Perfect Plum, Wisteria Wonder
• Stamps - Papillon Potpourri, En Francais, Express Yourself
• Ink/Markers - Calypso Coral, Wisteria Wonder, Perfect Plum
• Punch - Elegant Butterfly
• Dies - Framelits (Circles Collection)

CCS - Sketch Week

Hi there everyone! I hope your week has been treating you well so far.

I have a card to share with you that was inspired by something I saw at Kim Badelt's house while there last weekend making cards and giggling and making cards and laughing...

Kim had a card displayed with some hand made flowers. She has shared the link for the tutorial with me so I gave it a go.

Firstly, this is actually a card for the current challenge over at CAS - Colours and Sketches. I am your hostess there for the whole month of August. It's been great seeing what everyone has come up with for the previous challenges. This week I have a sketch for you -

Just remember that you must make a card that is CAS and has stamping on it.

Here is my DT card -

Isn't this handmade rose so pretty? If you are interested in having a go, please visit Tania Gould for step by step instructions.

The rose has been made but using my Fancy Flower Punch (SU). I have inked the edges with Whisper White (SU) and spritzed the end result (which really can't be seen in the photo). The leaves are from a new die that I purchased at the Craft Show and is called ..... whoops, I can't find the packet but I think it is called 'Leafy Vine'. I sponged Old Olive (SU) on the edges.

I have stamped the sentiment (from the Express Yourself set - SU) with Versamark and heat embossed with white powder. 

Geez, the photo is a bit harsh on the eyes. Once again, it's a bit blurry so sorry about that.

This card isn't exactly 'mailable' either so if you were going to make these roses, you would have to hand deliver or package them up.

I hope you like this sketch and would like to join in this week.

Over at the challenge blog, you can find heaps of beautiful inspiration from the DT.

Thanks so much for looking xx

ATSM Challenge #59

Hi everyone! Time for another challenge over at Addicted to Stamps and More!

We have our usual CAS challenge on this week but there is a twist! You may also create something using our sponsors images. Check out the challenge blog for more information.

Here is my DT card -

I have created a CAS card using SU products. I really like this colour combo together. The base card and panel are Very Vanilla cardstock. The blue and red panel have been created from scraps. I distressed the edge of the red panel. 

The stamp is from the Label of Love set and inked with Real Red. This set comes with a co-ordinating punch. 

The Very Vanilla panel has been popped up with dimensionals as has the red panel and the label. 

Our sponsor this week is the wonderful Ignacio from

Pop on over to the challenge blog to see all the cool options you have to play along this week.

Thanks so much for looking xx

Spinning snowman

Hi everyone! I hope you are all well.

I have a card to share with you today that is my first attempt at this technique. It was so fun to do that I will start trying with other stamps.

I created a Spinner card.

I had a really hard time thinking of which stamp to use as the 'spinner'. I finally decided on this adorable snowman from the "Snow Pal" set (SU). 

I used a stamp from the same set which is quite large so I used my Basic Black marker to ink up the line of the sentiment which I wanted to use. 

The cut out for the slider created an aperture for me in which to place my sentiment.

I embossed the white panel with the Perfect Polka Dots folder (SU) for the feel of snow.

The snowman looks very happy that it is snowing when he is spinning around, lol.

I also coloured his sprig of holly with my SU markers and added some stickles to the berries.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges -

The Cute Pie Challenge #51 - Anything Goes - I think my snowman is very cute!

My Time to Craft Challenge #231 - Aperture

I hope you enjoyed my Spinning Snowman!

Thanks so much for looking xx

ATCAS #20

Happy Saturday everyone!

I've had a big few days with the family and tonight I am off to a craft party held by my upline demonstrator at Stampin' Up - Kim Badelt. I am taking the gorgeous Phillipa with me (aka Stalker No. 1). 

I think we are making Christmas cards tonight. Woo hoo.

We have a brand new challenge to share with you over at ATCAS.

Flo Flo (Florence) is your hostess this fortnight and has this cool code word for you -

Let you imagination run wild!! Keep it CAS, though!

Here is my DT card -

I have used a new stamp of mine - Star Tree (SU) and inked with mum's Baja Breeze (SU). On my screen the colours look a little green but they look more blue in real life. Trust me!!

Seriously, this card took me about 5 minutes to make. CAS at its best.

Over at ATCAS we are sponsored this challenge by 

The ladies over at Just Us Girls are going to have to trust me that this colour is BLUE as I am entering into their current challenge -

JUGS202

That's it for me. Thanks so much for looking xx

CCS - Colour Week Challenge #38

Hello everyone!! OMG, I forgot to post my card for the challenge over at CAS - Colours & Sketches.

Better late than never?? 

I am even the hostess for this month so I am sure I have been put in the naughty corner.. I have chosen the colours for this week's challenge so I hope you like them -

I LOVE this combination. 

Here is my DT card -

I have used the Crumb cake for the base, Bashful Blue and Whisper White for my panels. The white panel has been popped up with dimensionals. I have rounded the corners on the base and Bashful Blue panel for interest.

I have used a Christmas set here - "Jolly Bingo Bits". The present stamp could be used for birthdays and christmas - very versatile. The sentiment is from the "Express Yourself" set.

For all my stamps, I used my stamp-a-ma-jig to place them.

Well, I hope you like my card and I may have inspired you to use this colour combo and even join in with our challenge.

Pop on over to the challenge blog to see all the other inspiration from the DT.

Thanks so much for looking xx

ATSM Challenge #58

Good morning everyone! Hope you are well this Wednesday morning. 

We have a bit of a twist for you over at Addicted to Stamps and More this week. Our latest challenge is a Colour challenge with a difference.

We are sponsored this week by Ignacio from Nicecrane Designs. Here is the twist...

You have three options to choose from --

OPTION 1

Use the Colour Combo provided

OPTION 2

Use any image from the Nicecrane Designs store on your project.

OPTION 3

Use both!! Combine any image from Nicecrane Designs with our Colour Combo.

Pretty cool huh? There are plenty of variety over at the challenge blog to help you if you are in need of some inspiration.

Here is my DT card -

Well, this is a bit different for me isn't it? I had all the colours sorted and had decided on the stamps I was going to use (Label Love (SU) and never been inked until now).

I had my new circle punches and just started going a bit crazy and ended up with polka dots everywhere. How strange!! LOL. 

Anyway, this is the end result and I guess it isn't TOO bad....

Alrighty then! Head on over to the challenge blog because now it is your turn. Don't forget you have lots of options this week and I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Thanks for looking xx

Just Fishin' Around

Hi and happy Sunday to everyone! Hope your weekend has been wonderful so far.

I have a nice quiet house to myself at the moment and decided to get stuck into some craft.

On Friday I went to the Craft and Quilt Show here in Canberra. Wow!! I has just blown away, firstly, by the quilts on display. I was just amazed at these works of art and can only hope that someday I may be able to make something that is even slightly in that class. 

I bumped into friendly stalker No. 1 at the craft fair - Hi Phillipa!!!!!

I bought some bits and pieces at the craft side of the show. Nothing very exciting, really. Just some extra tapes and little scissors for fussy cutting (as I need all the help I can get when trying to cut out an image). I also bought some storage trays for my Spectrum Noir pens which makes it a LOT easier to get to them.

Friendly stalker No. 2 decided to try and rearrange my markers but that resulted with me slapping her hands out of the way and kicking her out of the house. Hi Trudi!!!!!!

Now onto what I have made today. 

This has been a bit of a mission for me. I saw this idea in the latest SU catalogue and had to try it. It is to use the Sweet Treat Cups with water. Take a look -

I have used the following supplies -

Stamp - Fishin' Around (SU) coloured with markers

Sweet Treat Cup (SU)

Window sheet (SU)

'Friends' brad from my mum's stash

The thing about this was trying to create the seal on the cup so the water wouldn't leak. I tried hot glue like it is suggested in the catalogue but it just wouldn't work for me. I couldn't get the glue to seal properly and there would be water leaking ever so slowly out of the cup. 

So I was thinking that I could use a silicon or something like it that would be water resistant and create the seal. I didn't really have anything that would do the job, though.

So I ended up just peeling away the cover of the adhesive that is on the cup itself and adhered it straight to the window sheet (small square that I had cut to fit). I then flipped it over and covered the edge with Glossy Accents. I waited and waited and waited for it to dry and it seems to have done the perfect job. 

I stamped the image again onto the white panel and used a 4cm circle punch to cut out the area for the cup to sit in. 

In the end, I'm not fussed on the overall design of this card. I will keep working on it. It was a lot of fun putting this together once the hurdles of sealing the water in were overcome.

Here is a close up of the water and fish in their bowl -

I have used Gold Stickles for the treasure in the chest and Diamond Stickles in the water.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges -

Repeat Impressions DCC731 - Water Element

Just us Girls - Technique Challenge to make a shaker card

All that Stickles - Any colour stickles may be used

Thanks so much for looking xx

CCS Challenge #37 - Sketch

Hi there everyone! 

I am still the hostess over at CAS - Colours and Sketches and will be for the whole month of August. I was so happy to see so many lovely entries for the last colour combo that I had chosen. This week I have designed a sketch for you to play along with.

Firstly I would like to say hello to my friendly stalkers Trudi and Phillipa.... You know who you are!! hehehehe

Onto the sketch -

Don't forget at CC&S, you must create a CARD that includes stamping and it must be Clean and Simple.

Here is my DT card -

I started by adhering my DSP to a white panel and then used a circle die to cut out my frame. I have used a stamp from my Delightful Decorations set (SU) and co-ordinating punch. 

Both the ornament and white panel have been popped up with dimensionals.

So, I hope you find the time to play along with the sketch this week. 

The DT have come up with some wonderful cards to inspire you. Check out the challenge blog for more info.

Thanks so much for looking xx

ATSM #57 - Make your Mark

Hi everyone! Back again as today is the start of another challenge over at Addicted to Stamps and More!

We have one of your favourite challenges this week - Make your Mark.

You must use Markers, Pencils, Chalks, Crayons etc on your project.

I had to whip up something for my step-sister to congratulate her on the birth of her baby boy. I had made something ages ago but left it back in Queensland. I will be seeing her and the new baby (who is less than a week old) tomorrow.

The last few challenges of Make your Mark, I had used my SU markers directly onto my stamps. This time I really wanted to 'colour in' (who doesn't?) and keep practicing with my Spectrums. 

I found a really cute digi from Meljen Designs. Hope you like!

Here is my DT card (which is a little blurry, sorry) -

This little critter is simply called "Little Baby Dragon".

I decided to go with a few spots for added texture but not too many as he is just a baby!

Here are the colours I used from the Spectrum Noir range -

Dragon - CG2, DG1, DG2, DG3, DG4

GB8, GB9, GB10, EB3

Hearts and Swirls - TB1, TB2

I have no idea if the dots are 'right' but I didn't mind the end result which looks a bit nicer IRL. 

The papers are from SU and the sentiments is from the 'Express Yourself' set (SU).

Mum wanted to make something for this challenge too! Here is her card -

Mum saw me colouring with my Spectrum Noirs and asked if she could 'have a go'. Hasn't she done SO well on these roses for someone who has never used alcohol markers before? Onya Mum!!

Mum used two stamps from the Elegant Flowers set by Inspired by Stamping. She used some DP in her stash to create a strip of pretty paper to offset the flowers. Some stickles added to the roses for sparkle and a little bow to finish it off. Isn't she clever! LOVE my mum!

We have a fabulous prize thanks to the wonderful Flo Flo this week. Check out these gorgeous sheets from Nicecrane Designs!

I'm going to have to go and buy these because they are so adorable! 

Well, that's it for me. You really should go check out the challenge blog and the rest of the amazing inspiration from the DT. 

Thanks so much for looking xx

Very excited!!

Hi everyone!! I was finally able to sit down with mum and do a bit of cardmaking yesterday. We are preparing something each for the upcoming challenge at ATSM on Wednesday morning. I can't wait to share with you what mum comes up with.

The reason for my post today is to share a card with you that I have made for my god daughter's upcoming birthday and it is something I have coloured using Spectrum Noir pens. 

Speaking of Spectrum Noir.... my stash of pens is building nicely. I have some awesome news too. Over on the Spectrum Noir blog, you have the opportunity to become a certified colourist using their pens. I decided to watch their tutorials and send off my accreditation test. Guess what? I passed! Notice the blinkie on the top right hand side of my blog? That's showing you that I am now certified!! Yay! I wasn't expecting to pass the test on the first try but the wonderful Jennie Black sent me an email letting me know I had passed - I was over the moon!

So, onto my card -

I have used a digital stamp from Tiddly Inks called "Wryn Spring Bling". I have printed her onto blender paper. 

I used a couple of tutorials for this image. Her hair was done using a tutorial by Lis M and the background was done using a tutorial by Dilyana Kupenska.

There is just a wealth of information on this site and especially if you are just starting out using the Spectrum Noir pens.

Here are the colours I have used on this image -

Background - TB1, TB2, TB3, BT4. Blender

Dress - TB1, TB2, TB3

Flowers - PP1, PP2, PP3, PP5

Face - FS1, FS3, FS4, FS9, CR3 (blush)

Hair and shoe - GB2, GB8, GB10, EB5

The papers are all from Stampin Up. The sentiment is from the Sketched Birthday set and cut out using my Itty Bitty dies (SU). 

The ribbon I pinched from mum's stash.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges -

Milk Coffee Challenges - Colouring

7 Kids College Fund - Markers

Tuesday Throwdown - Birthday Party

Polka Doodles - Birthday Girl

The Ribbon Girls - Birthday Card

613 Avenue Create - AG with twist to use a sentiment

That's all for me today. I will see you back here on Wednesday. Take care!

Thanks so much for looking xx

ATCAS #19

Hello and welcome to Saturday! Yes, it's the weekend!!

How has your week been? Mine has been stockpiled with seeing family and friends and just loving every minute of it.

First of all I am going to share with you my DT card for the latest challenge over at Addicted to CAS. Then I am going to show you a few quilts that I have made over the last few months. When looking at them, I am just a beginner and self taught so no rolling of the eyes or snorting if you like to sew ;)

Our challenge this fortnight has an awesome code word and will be hosted by the beautiful Sue. It is still winter here in Australia so it is nice to be thinking ahead to Summer.

We are sponsored by one of the most wonderful ladies that I know in blog land. Joanna Munster from

Joanna and her team have joined us over at ATCAS as guest designers - WOWZERS~!

Here is my DT card -

Oh, yes, I do love me a butterfly so why not use three? These butterflies from Inspired by Stamping. The set is called "Butterfly Wings". I have coloured them using my Spectrum Noir pens and used the 'feathering' technique.

Here are the colours I have used -

Top Butterfly - CR8, CR10, CR11

Middle Butterfly - PP5, BP2, BP6

Bottom Butterfly - BT2, BT4, Bt7

I created the background by using my Gorgeous Grunge (SU) set for the first time, one inked with Gumball Green and the other with Poppy Parade. The sentiments is from the Express Yourself (SU) set and inked with Wisteria Wonder.

Please head on over to the challenge blog as there is a HUGE amount of inspiration for you this week!

Thanks so much for looking.

That's all for me on the paper crafting side of things. If you would like to check out some of the quilts I have made, keep reading :)

*********************************************************************

First quilt is one that I made for my mum for Mothers Day. Because I just arrived in Canberra, I have only just now been able to give it to her. This quilt is made from a "Jelly Roll" by Moda.

and here is the label that I made for the back -

Next are some baby quilts that I made.

That's it for me right now. See you next time!! xx





Swallowtail

Hello!! I am writing my first post from Canberra. I got here safe and sound on Sunday afternoon and had a wonderful reunion with my son. I've missed him sooooo much.

I am hosting the challenges over at CAS - Colour and Sketches for the month of August. I do hope that you like my colour and sketch combinations and can't wait to see what you come up with.

So, for the first challenge of the month we have a colour combo for you that I hope you like -

We use Stampin' Up! colours as a guide but you don't have to use them, just the closest you have in your stash.

And here is my DT card -

I have finally faced my fears and used the ever so big Swallowtail stamp (SU). I have stamped the image off the paper a little and then just coloured it in with Melon Mambo and Old Olive Markers.

The base cardstock is Basic Grey (we spell it with an 'e' over here...).

The sentiment is from the Express Yourself set (SU) and inked with Basic Grey.

You may have noticed that I suffered from 'smudgy finger syndrome' when I made this card. Oh well, nevermind..... :)

So, now it is your turn to head on over to the challenge blog and check out the other inspiration from the DT.

Thanks so much for looking xx