Tuesday Morning Sketches & Crafty Sentiments

Hey there, everyone. I've had a lovely night with good friends and we polished off a Lamb Roast. Yummo! It was beautiful.

I've decided to enter two challenges today.

The first one is a Sketch challenge over at Tuesday Morning Sketches. Then over at Crafty Sentiments, they would like you to add some sparkle.

I have used my Pedal Presents stamp set. I have used my stamp-a-ma-jig to place the balloons and birdie in the bike's basket. I also stamped the balloons twice so I could cut them out and pop them up on dimensionals (not quite visible in the pic). I then added Diamond Stickles to the balloons.

I also embossed the black panel with my Lattice folder but it doesn't really show in the photo, either.

Here is my card -

Here is the Sketch (which I have rotated)

Thanks so much for looking xx

Addicted to Stamps - It's CAS time!!!!

Hey there! Hope today finds you well!

The new challenge at Addicted to Stamps this week is

CAS!!

I actually really like doing CAS although I find that they seem to take longer than a card that has been chocked full of embellishments etc. I guess it's hard to stop and you have to keep slapping your hand away from where you keep your ribbon, brads, flowers, pearls etc etc.

Anyway, here is my card for this week's challenge

As usual I have embossed something lol. Very simply though, I have put a large ribbon around that embossed panel and added a couple of lacey ovals. Easy peasy.

Check out the delicious cards over at Addicted to Stamps to get your creative juices going!!!

Thanks for looking!

Sketch N Stash Challenge #95

Here is a card today that has been inspired by a Sketch over at Sketch N Stash.

I really liked the look of this sketch and pretty much had a good idea (for once) of what I wanted to do. I had a couple of new things I wanted to use and there is plenty in my stash to use too.

Here is my card and then I will let you know what I've used.

The new things I have used are -

Doily Die

Butterfly Embosslits

White with gold trim ribbon

Everything else was from my stash including the little metal sentiment. I have no idea where it came from but I know I've had it for years. I was trying to decide on which stamp to use for the sentiment when I had a bit of a rummage around. I thought it was perfect for this type of card. Here is a close up for you.

Here is the Sketch that was my inspiration. Click on the image to go and join in the fun!!

Thanks for looking xx



Blog Candy over at The Craft Barn!!

Wow, what an amazing pack of goodies up for grabs at The Craft Barn!

Check it out!!!

Wow! You've got to be in it to win it ;)

The Paper Players #110, Colour Throwdown #206 & Crafty Catz #147

Well, it is certainly past my bedtime and considering I was up with the Roosters and Chooks this morning at 5.30am, I am a little weary lol.

I just wanted to quickly share a card with you that I am entering into 3 challenges.

The Sketch for this card came from The Paper Players

The Colour Combo came from Colour Throwdown

The Ribbon and Bow is to participate in the challenge over at Crafty Catz

I decided to give my faux stitching another whirl. I'm actually quite happy with how this turned out. I used my Certainly Celery marker and did the stitches freehand. A little crooked here and there but that's how my actual sewing would turn out anyway ;)

I had to use my Apothecary set again. It's such a beautiful collection. I then used my Framelit Label Dies to cut the stamp out which was coloured with Pretty in Pink and Certainly Celery. I didn't have Cameo Coral so I tried to use the closest that I had which to me was Melon Mambo (used for the sentiment). Once I finished this card, I realised I just couldn't cope without my Stamp-a-ma-jig. What a saviour! I hope I have done the Sketch and Colour Combo justice and I also hope there is enough Ribbon and Bow(s).

Here is the inspiration for these wonderful challenges

Thanks so much for looking xx

52CC Throwdown & CSAYL

Hey there, I have a card to share which is either going to have you love it or hate it. More so because of the colours I have chosen and the whole card is perhaps a little over the top? Anyway, be honest, cause it's one of THOSE cards lol.

The gals at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown have an Embellishment Challenge which is to use Chipboard. I went into a bit of a panic attack because.... I don't have any. I then found a package that my mum had given me ages ago which was more for scrapbooking. The words in it are more for little girls etc. There was one word that I could use - JOY. How about that?

The ladies over at CSAYL have a challenge which is to use non-traditional colours. Now, I LOVE non-traditional colours usually. I particulary like purple on Christmas Cards. Then I threw in some Orange. Mmmm hmmmm......

So, now that my whole family have little glitter bits on them, what do you think? I have mixed emotions about this card. I'm not really sure even how do describe my emotions lol.

Oh well, over to you. I'm interested to see what you think.

Thanks for looking xx



Happiest Birthday

Hi all, how are we today? Nearly ready for the weekend?

Today I have a card to share with you that I am going to enter into 3 challenges.

The first challenge that I had looked at was one of my favourites - Inspired by Stamping, so the colour inspiration came from there. The next challenge is over at Crafty Sentiments and the theme is Flowers. The last, but not least, challenge is at Delightful Sketches and their theme is Fancy & Frilly.

I had heaps of fun making this card. Both background papers have been distressed. I have used my Apothecary Set and coloured straight onto the stamp with Pretty in Pink and Wild Wasabi. The sentiment is on dimensionals and was stamped in Wild Wasabi.

The gorgeous flowers you see are from IBS. They add such a lovely touch to my card.

Last, but not least, I have added tiny pearls in the centre of the stamped flowers.

I'm not sure they are visible in this photo, so here is a close up.

Thanks so much for looking xx



Crafty Cardmakers Challenge : Postcard with a seaside theme

Good afternoon! I hope today finds you all well.

If I could be so bold to ask - my 10 year cousin is in the Brisbane Children's hospital at the moment with pneumonia. She now also has an infection in her liver. Please send a prayer that she gets better. Thank you so much xx

Over at Crafty Cardmakers they have a challenge where they would like you to create a postcard (6x4) and incorporate a seaside theme. Well! Easier said than done, I reckon lol!! The only 'seaside' stamp I really have is a cool Santa surfing the waves... Didn't think it would be appropriate. What's the next best thing? The internet! Off I go and search for what I felt would be a really cute postcard to send home.

These two cute tikes are in the beach house having a rest from a busy day of swimming and playing in the sand. I have simply coloured the image with my Stampin' Write markers, added some yellow stickles to the sand and a cute ribbon with little waves.

Now! Do not laugh.... I hand wrote the sentiment because I had nothing that was appropriate lol. Oh well, maybe I got you to giggle xx

Thanks so much for looking xx



ATS - Addicted to {Gold}

Yep, another week gone by and another challenge over at Addicted to Stamps.

This week we are to create something with GOLD as the focal point.

Now I'm not sure you will be able to pick it up, but the flower I used from my Reason to Smile set is embossed in gold. I went for a very CAS layout hoping that the gold colours would pop.

Thanks for looking xx

Head on over to Addicted to Stamps to see the amazing cards that the Design Team came up with using GOLD. You are going to be inspired, I guarantee it!!!



52CC Throwdown & Simply Stampin'

Hi everyone! How was your weekend?

I have a card to share with you tonight that fits in with two challenges.

The first challenge is a sketch from Simply Stampin'

The second challenge is at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown.

It's a Theme Challenge this week.

I used non-traditional colours again but really wanted to incorporate silver. The image was my main dilemma. I couldn't decide on which way I wanted it coloured. After a couple of practice runs, I didn't like them in the least. In the end, I decided to just stamp the image with Versamark ink and emboss it with Silver Powder. Here is a close up of the image - hopefully you can see the embossing.

Now, this stamp set fits in wonderfully with the Christmas Carol - "God rest you merry, Gentlemen". Now I must admit that I always thought it was called "Oh tidings of comfort and joy". Whoops...

Here is a little background information about the Christmas Carol I chose

Like so many early Christmas songs, this carol was written as a direct reaction to the music of the fifteenth century church, in Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas. However, in the as-yet earliest known publication of the carol on a circa 1760 broadsheet, it is described as a "new Christmas carol," suggesting its origin is actually in the mid-18th century. It appeared again among "new carols for Christmas" in another 18th-century source, a chapbook believed to be printed between 1780-1800.

And for those of you who would like to see the lyrics and have a sing-a-long... Here they are!

God rest you merry, gentlemen,

Let nothing you dismay,

For Jesus Christ our Saviour

Was born upon this day

To save us all from Satan's Power

When we were gone astray

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy

From God our heavenly Father

A blessed Angel came

And unto certain shepherds

Brought tidings of the same,

How that in Bethlehem was born

The Son of God by name

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy

The shepherds at those tidings

Rejoiced much in mind,

And left their flocks a-feeding

In tempest, storm and wind,

And went to Bethlehem straightaway

This Blessed babe to find

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy

But when to Bethlehem they came,

Whereat this infant lay

They found him in a manger

Where Oxen feed on hay

His mother Mary kneeling

unto the Lord did pray

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy

Now to the Lord sing praises

All you within this place

And with true love and brotherhood

Each other now embrace

This holy tide of Christmas

All other doth deface

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy

Thanks for looking xx



ATS - Scrapbook Challenge #3

Good morning all. This month at Addicted to Stamps we have our latest Scrapbook Challenge. The lovely Val chose the theme which is "FLOWERS".

What a wonderful theme. Flowers could be inspired by gardens, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries.. the list could go on.

My choice for this challenge was my little sister's wedding. The photos that you see I have converted to black and white. I then chose two of those photos and picked focal points to use Adobe Photoshop Elements to put colour back in.

You will see that my sister's flowers are coloured, the rings on their hands are coloured.

It was a beautiful wedding and it was about time I tried to create a page for it. It's pretty plain but I wanted the red and white of the flowers to be the eye catcher.

I'm very sorry about the quality of the photos. I really struggle with scrapbook pages.

I hope you can join in with our scrapbook challenge this month - we would love to see you there!

ADDICTED TO STAMPS

IBSIC Challenge #22 - Sketch

Hi there! I just wanted to quickly share a card with you that I made today.

The sketch I've used has come from the wonderful ladies over at Inspired By Stamping.

Again, I had trouble with the colours I wanted to use. Does anyone really know what colours they will be using straight away?? Well, I don't. I can't even explain most the time how I come about choosing my colours lol.

Anyway, here is my card -

The brown rectangular panel was stamped with my Elements of Style set with Whisper White ink. I then used clear powder to emboss. I got a bit carried away with my Versamarker and coloured all the card in between - whoops. Once I started I just couldn't stop ;)

The rest of the card is basically embossed with the lattice folder, mini silver brads, and pearls. The shapes below the sentiment are made using my Framelit Dies by Stampin Up and a Lacy Oval die by Spellbinders. I have also used my new hemp twine from SU.

Here is the sketch. Click on the image to join in the fun.

Thanks for looking xx

Tuesday Morning Sketches - Challenge #159

Good evening all. I'm still having a little trouble with my internet but I just keep persisting.

I stumbled upon a lovely blog called Tuesday Morning Sketches. I looked at the current challenge and thought "Nah, too hard for me". I than realised that isn't that the point of a challenge??

I'm not entirely happy with the end result. The thing I wasn't the happiest with was what to do with my diamond shape. I struggled with which stamp I wanted to use and in the end used my Elements of Style set. As usual, I have embossed a couple of panels lol.

Actually, the thing I like most about my card is the colours. Not my usual choice, but they worked for me lol.

Click on the image below to join in the fun

Thanks so much for looking xx

52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown - Colour Challenge

Well! I was just a little bit excited when I saw what colours the gals had decided to use this week. It gave me a chance to use a few new things that I got a couple of days ago AND use the colours I love to use - especially for Xmas!!

I have used a textured silver panel to go over the black. The white panel has been embossed with my Snowflakes folder and then I used Real Red Ink on my NEW brayer. To finish off the panel, I used mini silver brads in the centre of the snowflakes.

I used the sentiment from my Tidings of Joy set which I inked with Versamark and then heat embossed with silver poweder. Whisper white ribbon and a little silver bow to finish off.

Click on the image below to check out this awesome challenge

Thanks for looking xx



ATS - Theme Challenge #2 {Cards for Boys}

Well after an eventful couple of days with wrestling with my internet (which made a change from the normal crocodile wrestling) I am finally able to post.

Thanks so much to Patrice for coming to my rescue this morning. Poor chook is sick today and had to drop everything to help me out.

Anyway, moving right along. The latest challenge at ATS is Cards for Boys. Now, this was a REAL challenge for me as I am really into ribbons and embellishments etc. Virtually most of what I own accomodates for girls. I have two nephews and two godsons that get very boring cards for their birthday's most of the time. I then remembered that my Ain't Love Grand set had this cute little tike yelling through his megaphone. Using the usual blues and a very CAS layout, here is my card.

To join in, go to ADDICTED TO STAMPS

Check out what the DT have to inspire you.

Thanks for looking xx

CSAYL & Just Add Ink

My family was up early helping out the elderly next door neighbours clear trees and bushes etc in their yard this morning. After quite a few trailer loads and lots of raking, whipper snippering and chainsawing we were knackered!

After fiddling around the house for a little while, I decided it was time to do what I love the most. I wont have a chance to do much over the next couple of days as my son and I are doing our First Course and Advanced Recusitation through the Fire Brigade on Sunday and Monday. I also must say that I am very proud of my son who has just got his Learner's Licence - he was very excited! I have also just got my "L's" for my Heavy Vehicle Licence. Just need some practice driving the Fire Truck now LOL!!

Have I lost you yet? ;)

The challenges I would like to enter are at Christmas Stamping All Year Long (CSAYL) and Just Add Ink.

CSAYL is "Anything Goes" as long as it is festive.

Just Add Ink is "Blue and Bling".

Here is my card -

With all the Silver Embossing, I'm not sure it has photographed too well. Nevermind :)

I have used my Delightful Decorations stamped with Versamark and then heat embossed with Silver Powder. I have used silver ribbon to have the ornaments hanging from the top of the card. The light blue panel has been embossed with my Snowflakes folder (I have used the reverse side of the embossing). My sentiment is from my Petite Pairs set and has been die cut with a scalloped oval.

Each corner has a gem for extra bling.

Thanks for looking xx



CASology & Less Is More

Hey there! The latest challenge at CASology is to use the word POND. I was quite delighted about this because I have a set of stamps called "Birthday Banter" and there is a little froggie in there that I have never used.

I started to colour in "Marge". I just had to give her a name. Now, Marge seemed to be the type of frog that would love the bright red lippy and blue eyeshadow. Then I thought, why not add some glitter to her eyeshadow? I wish I could have given her a blue rinse lol.

The challenge at Less is More is to use Blue and Green. I don't think Marge ever received advice when she was a little tadpole that Blue and Green should never be seen. I think she looks lovely with her makeup :)

I've used a die that made it look like Marge was sitting on her lilly pad. She does look like an old grumpy frog, too. Perhaps she's just waiting for her Prince to come???

Here is a close up of her so you can see her glittery blue eyeshadow  and the sentiment lol.

You can find the POND challenge by clicking on the image for CASology

 

The Blue and Green challenge over at Less Is More can be found HERE

Thanks for looking xx



52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown - Sketch Challenge

Last one for tonight.

I decided to my Delightful Decorations Stamp set inked with Real Read and Old Olive. They were punched out with the co-ordinating punch. I then used my Itty Bitty set (yep, again!) for the stars. I have embossed the green panel on the card with a Merry Christmas folder.

The card didn't quite turn out how I wanted it to. I had envisage a whole heap of glittery decorations  and lots of bling. It ended up being fairly simple with no glitter whatsoever lol.

Here is the sketch

Thanks for looking! You can find this great Sketch Challenge HERE



IBSIC #21 - Garden Theme

Good evening all. Hope you are all well.

There's a new challenge over at Inspired By Stamping which includes an inspirational photo showing a Garden theme. They would also like you to use the colours - Pink, Green & Cream as your mains.

I also had some wonderful inspiration from my own garden this week.

I bought a couple of rose bushes not long ago. The beauty of living in a semi-tropical part of Australia, I have already cut three flowers even though it's the middle of winter. The flowers are just beautiful and the fragrance is divine. Not only are the flowers in bloom (Hello, Hayfever!!) but the vegie garden is coming along strong. I have already picked about 3 punnets full of strawberries, a zucchini, capsicums, lettuce, chillis and some tomatoes. We have just planted cabbage, cauliflower, corn (for the chooks), shallots, mint, garlic chives and some more tomato plants.

Now, onto my card.

I received some new dies in the post today and couldn't wait to use them.

I used my Elements of Style stamp on blender paper and coloured with Stampin' Markers (Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery and Wild Wasabi).

The ribbon is actually a piece of recycled something or other and I can't even remember where it came from or with. Finished off with pearls in the corners and I felt I achieved the effect I wanted.

I had lots of fun with my new dies and will be off to play with some more!

Check out the new challenge at IBSIC

And last but not least, a pic of my first rose.

Thanks for looking xx



ATS - Bingo Challenge #2

Good morning everyone! How are you all?

I am recovering from a visit to the dentist so I am blaming that experience on the card that I have made lol. I haven't even photographed it very well, I'm sorry.

It's BINGO time at Addicted to Stamps. I know you all like playing Bingo so our next challenge should be right up your alley.

I chose the line with Flowers/Emboss/Ribbon

The funny thing was that as I was making my card, I realised I was using different elements from different lines so I had to step back and re-evaluate.

Perhaps with half my face being numb, that also contributes to anything that may be wonky on the card... So don't be toooooo critical xxx

I had decided that I would be using Flowers no matter what because I wanted to use a new stamp and punch set (Itty Bitty Bits). Stamped with Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery & Pretty in Pink (with help from my colour coach) and then punched. I have used dimensionals to give some of the little tikes a bit of a lift. Of course, I had to emboss the the Pink Panel with my Swiss Dots folder. The ribbon is Whisper White Satin and Blushing Bride Pleated.

Thanks for looking and head over to

ADDICTED TO STAMPS CHALLENGE BLOG

and have a look at the DT's cards. They are amazing and will inspire you to run to your craft room. We love to see you all join in!!

Tiddly Inks & CSAYL

Happy weekend everyone!

I just logged on to post a card that I made and realised I had won Top Honour at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown. My first ever Top Mention! Just try and wipe the smile of my face!

The card that I have made today is for two challenges. The first one is at Tiddly Inks. This challenge is to use your favourite Tiddly Inks image. This cutie is one I haven't used before but think she is just so gorgeous. Her name is Christmas Princess.

The next challenge is at Christmas Stamping All Year Long. The challenge here is to create something with "Pairs of 3". I have used 3 layers to mount my image, 3 crystals and 3 types of ribbon. I have also used 3 different shapes - Square, Rectangle and Oval.

I have coloured my Princess in with my Stampin' Up! markers - Real Red, Garden Green, Soft Suede and Crumb Cake.

Thanks for looking xx

IBSIC #20 & The Paper Players

Just a quick post for tonight.

A new challenge has been announced today over at Inspired by Stamping. It's a sketch challenge. I also wanted to enter The Paper Players challenge which is Tic Tac Toe.

I decided on Floral, Dry Embossing and Favourite Colour (Red).

The sentiment from a set called Petite Pairs and I have used my Framelit Dies to border the sentiment. I decided to only emboss the red panels to define the textures.

Here is the sketch

The gorgeous little flowers you see are ones that I purchased from Inspired by Stamping.

Click on the images to join in the challenges.

Thanks for looking xx



Just Add Ink - Inspiration Photo

Off to bed soon. Hopefully all the antibiodics will have taken hold on my son by the morning. He's got a case of bronchitis. Poor bugger.

So, my last post for tonight is to show you a card I have made for the JAI Inspiration Photo challenge.

Once again, I went for a CAS design to try and show the colours that I wanted to use.

I started with my Reason to Smile stamp set. I found after a couple of attempts that this particular stamp works better if I use my basic black marker instead of the pad. Once stamped (using my stamp-a-ma-jig), I embossed the image with clear powder. I then coloured in the flowers using Tangerine Tango, Wild Wasabi and Perfect Plum.

I then layered co-ordinating papers and VOILA.

Now, I have just had to come back to say that with my ruddy internet, this just took me an hour and a half to publish this post and get my link to JAI with 4 minutes to spare. Arghhhhhhhhhh.

Thanks for looking xx

CASology Week 4 : Bird

Time for a little CASology again.

This week the theme is BIRD. I have embossed the black panel with my lattice folder and then stamped the bird from my Elements of Style set. I'm a little addicted to Real Red at the moment. It's such a striking colour.

To join in, you can find the challenge HERE

Thanks for looking xx

Make your Mark - Just Married

Another week gone by and another challenge at Addicted to Stamps.

We are up to our "Make your Mark" Challenge #2

Here's my card

I have used a new stamp set called Aint Love Grand. I coloured the image with Real Red, Basic Grey and Daffodil Delight. I had forgotten how well Red and Gray go together.

Don't forget to head on over to Addicted to Stamps for this latest challenge and have a look a what the Design Team came up with!

Thanks for looking xx