MerryMade Crafts etc ...

Yes, I finally finished this apron. It took a little longer than I expected. When I cut the pattern out it looked okay in length so I sewed it all up without measuring it against myself. But when I went to figure out how long the neck tie should be I discovered the apron down past my knees. So I unpicked the bottom pocket area.......of course I decided to use a fancy stitch rather than straight stitch. :-( In the end I chopped off about 10cm and restitched the pocket on. I am much happier now....only hoping I haven't made it too short. :-) Decided it was time use one of the Tear Bear Embellishments yesterday. I attached a small doily, added leftover gold stickers to the centre of the flowers, cut out the bear and inked around the edges in a matching mauve colour to hide the white cut areas, added a white bow. Finished the card with a vertical Happy Birthday sticker .

Hi everyone and a big wave to the new followers. Thanks for taking the time to look at my blog. I got to and made two cards yesterday for my April swap partner over at Craftmad . Our April swap was make two cards using paper punches and to forward on a couple of paper punched shapes ready to be used in May. Ages ago we did a card with Ruth and she showed us how to make these great flowers by just using a circle punch. You need 8 circles on double sided paper. Take a circle and fold in half, open out and take the edges of the cirlce and fold to the centre line, turn over and fold these edges in again to the centre line......ta dah! you have just made one petal. Complete all eight and punch another circle, smear with glue and arrange the petals of the flower on this circle, add a split pin to the centre. The cupcake on this card I received in my mail as part of the image swap we did over at Craftmad during April. So now I have lots of goodies to colour. Might as well put in a plu...

Good morning everyone. Didn't make any cards yesterday. I did finish the apron up to adding the ribbon ties but I am not happy with the length of it, so have a lot of unpicking to do. Hence, reason for not making cards...mood not that great. Will get there today though. :-)

I am taking part in the sewing swap over at Craftmad , this month it is an apron. Hopefully, my partner doesn't visit my blog.......otherwise SURPRISE!!!! :-) I finally got to, and cut it all out yesterday and sewed a little bias binding on. Today I should have it all completed. I love the colours and will be requesting it back if she doesn't like it. It is nice to have the sewing machine out again, will have to see what else I can make.

Isn't she pretty. This is Tilda in the Sea, I recieved this image from Josianne in the blog candy package I won. I have used a card that Josianne sent as the base card...it is a metallic like card. Then SU Certainly Celery paper. I have coloured Tila with a blender pen and SU Inkspots from the Soft Subtles range. Added eyelets to each corner and finished with organza ribbon also from Josianne. Almost forgot I have Kindy Glitz Tildas dress...... yes, it is still wet, just keen to post. :-) Happy Sunday everyone.

A very quick post...just wanted to show off the card. Will be back and edit this post with colours used. Must dash to Anzac Parade......Lest we Forget.

This is the view from my window now. The jungle is now a little more controlled....now the grass needs a more and the edges need doing. Always something. The weather was so beautiful yesterday that I spent a lot of time out there so no card to show today. Although, I am enjoying looking at my garden this morning. :-) Have a happy Friday everyone.

Check out Craftmad they have a small competition happening to see everyones original stitching card patterns. Do you have any new card stitching designs or even old ones which you have either designed yourself or are free to use and give away (ie with the owners consent) then they can submit them into Mandy at Craftmad and there will be a free E K Success Punch & Stitch Paper Shaper for every entry used in our upcoming stitched cards journal . Start time is NOW!! END time is 30th June 2009

Morning everyone, I am bit slow getting in here this morning as I had to whip this card up. My stampin up order arrived on Tuesday and this morning I finally got to put all the stamps together. How much easier is life now that Stampin up precut their stamps....brilliant. So this is my very quick card. Sorry at this stage I don't remember any of the new names other than I have used the Stampin Up Good Friend stamp set, matching papers, felt flowers and the new blue from the In Colour range. I have added three little glitter butterflies from the Stickerstore and a Happy Birhtday sticker. This is the jungle I am heading to now to try and tame.....I see this from my window as I type. Hopefully, tomorrow I post a tamer photo.

I received the blog candy that I won from Josianne on Monday. So much fun going through all the goodies. I have made up this card to send back to her using some of the goodies. The base card is a metallic maroon colour, topped with a lovely background paper. I then coloured the Rachelle Anne Miller image in using watercolour pencils and an aqua brush. I added some bling to the stars. Before adding the topper I added a strip of gold sticker down the edge of the background paper. Then added a Thank You sticker.

My 13yo daughter got the cardmaking bug on the weekend. This is one of the cards she created. I will take photos of the others soon. I just love it when she comes up with a card as there is always something different she has done and I think I must try that. My daughter has used an apeture card and coloured a Tilda Sweetheart image to add to the centre of the apeture. She used watercolour pencils and an aqua brush. She has added a little bling to each star. The gold around the edge is present wrapping ribbon stuck down with double sided tape....really effective. Finished the card off with a cluster of buttons in the corners.

Here is another card using the medallions I cut on my robo. It is fun coming up with different cards but using the same base cards and medallions. The base card is SU Sahara Sand, I have then used a strip of SU Rose Red and SU So Saffron paper and card. Attached the medallion...this time I have used the mouse image from the SU Nice and Easy Notes. Isn't he too cute! I have coloured him with a blender pen and SU inkspots. Added two of the tiniest buttons I have ever seen to his overalls. I then pinpricked the top and bottom of the card. Added a SU Chocolate Chip oval which I cut on the robo, added two brads and the 'Sun' rub-on.

The two reasons for this series of cards was to start using the craftrobo and also to use the lovely ribbons that my daughter had bought me for my birthday. I could feel her looking over my shoulder all the time waiting for me to use them. :-) So this card I used SU Sahara Sand as the base card, machine stitched three rows of straight stitch around the edge. I think I find that the hardest bit......not actually sewing straight. I layered up the medallion with SU Regal Rose, SU Sahara Sand and white card. Stamped the watercan image from SU Nice and Easy Notes and then added three strips of ribbon to the bottom. Finished with a wonderful white Happy Birthday sticker . I just love the look of these white stickers.

Firstly I would like to thank Cheryl for this award. My first ever award so it's very exciting and I have only known Cheryl such a short time....so I am honoured. You should visit Cheryl over at My Cardmaking Haven and see her lovely card creations. Here are the rules for this award: 1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award. 2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog 3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award 4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting 5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers 6. Post links to 7 blogs you nominate 7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs, letting them know they have been nominated. This is the hard part naming 7 things about yourself people might find interesting, 1. I enjoy geocaching. 2. I love summer. 3. I have visited New Zealand three times. 4. I used to play hockey (grass). 5. I love the smell of a rainforest. 6. I don't mind doing a jigsaw from time to time. 7. I have a sweet tooth. :-) Now I am meant ...

There has been lots of talk over at Craftmad about different cutting machines. Also my son who is 15yo has come home from Graphics class excited as he realised my Craftrobo makes stickers the same as the machine at school. We have had a stream of teenage boys here for the past couple of weeks. Robo is certainly has gotten a workout. Anyways, these two events have inspired me to finally make the time to sit down and learn the robo. I have had it for 18 months now and created a few cards with it. These have always used templates that are available. It's time for me to learn the program. So hopefully over the next couple of months I learn enough to create my own templates. Yesterday, I cut the circles for this card. At the moment I am just figuring out what pressure and cap to use while cutting out Stampin Up card. If anyone reads this and uses a robo and stampin up card I would love to hear what setting you find best. I used SU Sahara Sand as the base card, then SU Regal Rose, next ...

Before I start on the card, I just wanted to say thanks for everyone who visit and leaves a comment. I really love coming in here every morning and see who has visited throughout the day. Thanks! Now the card. I started with a base pink card and then added the white textured card, to this I added the beautiful decoupage rose which my Mum has cut out. I am hopeless at cutting things so fine. Mum has used silicon glue in between the layers as she likes the fact that she can have lower or higher sections. When you use 3d Foam it is all the one height. I stitched the hearts around the edge using a red metallic thread and finished with a gold 'Best Wishes' sticker .

Promise this is my last Tilda.....well this week anyways. :-) She is just so much fun to colour in. I had made this card a little while ago and always thought something was missing. It was Tilda..... :-) I have coloured in a Tilda Sweetheart with watercolour pencils and cute her out and used double sided 3D foam to adhere her to the card. I also replace the ribbon with a strip of matching card and added a wonderful clear glitter wavy border sticker . Much nicer card now.

I did not start out to do this card this way but because of a mistake it has. Love it when mistakes turn out better than what you had planned. :-) I have used SU Bordering Blue as the base card, then a layer of purple stripe paper. I tried to use a punch to emboss and cut a fancy edge on the purple stripe paper but the punch got stuck. So I had to cut off the corner. Then I decided to add a sqaure of the SU Bordering on Blue to the corner of the purple stripe paper and pull it over and hold it down with a brad. Stamped the word wish and placed a gold sticker star around it and added more stars to the rest of the card. Coloured Tilda Sweetheart heart in using watercolour pencils and an aqua brush. Then cut her out and mounted her with 3D foam sqaures. Also stamped the little box for her to sit on.

Another Tear Bear just for you. :-) I used SU Old Olive as the base card, inked the edges with black ink. Used Kaisercraft Basics Rub-ons for the flowers and flourishes. Then layered a bear from the cutout sheets onto black card. Finished with brads in each corner and a sticker 'Just For You'.

I had a lovely time yesterday using my new Tilda stamp. A frined gave it to me as a birthday present. Tilda Sweetheart is so cute and so much fun to colour. The image always stamps up nice and clear..... yes, I think I am hooked and might just have to acquire another Tilda further down the track. I created this card for another friend who has had some bad news and lives overseas. Too far for a hug but close enough for a card. I used SU Lavender Lace as the base card. Rediscovered a piece of paper that I had used the shaving foam marbling technique on. Then added Tilda which I have coloured using watercolour pencils and an aqua brush. Finished with a 'Thinking of You' sticker and went around the edge with a black pen.

This morning I only have a hint of a picture for you. This is a card that I have submitted to put in the next Craftmad Journal which is due out in May or maybe for a later Journal. I had a great time creating this as I got to play with the Glitter Paper again. This is such wonderful stuff...comes in great colours and the best bit......you don't end up with glitter just under your eye which annoys you all day. :-) What I have used in this card are come from Blue Edge Crafts and the Stickerstore . Organza ribbon, beautiful background paper, a prescored card, glitter paper and clear butterfly stickers (love these). Enjoy you Saturday

Mornin....I know that I have just created a whole blog for blog candy but I could not go past this fantastic offering and blog. You got to be in it to win it. :-) This is such a lovely blog I tried to be a follower but google was playing the game. Will have to try again later. http://charmedcrafts.blogspot.com/2009/03/blog-candy-with-twist.html Lucky "Pickle" is the winner of all these terrific copic markers.

Sorry the photo is a little blurred. It's rainy and dark here this morning and my camera wouldn't focus....after 6 attempts this is the best. I will try again later today and edit the post if I managed a better shot. Anyways.... I made this card using SU River Rock as the base card and then stamped with Staz On Timber Brown Ink using the flourish from the SU Priceless set. Next I added the rectangle of brown textured paper, a strip of blue card that has been embossed using the cuttlebug 'Swiss Dots' folder. I added two wonderful brads that I received from Deborah a while back. Finished by cutting an oval on my craft robo and using a rub-on greeting. Oh, and pin pricked around the edge.

I received this recipe in an email from a friend yesterday. Just had to try it when the kids got home from school. Ok.... I thought my mugs were on the largest size so made up two of this recipe....1st photo, 2nd photo shows the results. 3rd photo shows results when the recipe is then shared between two of my 'large mugs'. Yum!!!!! The most dangerous cake recipe 5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE 4 tablespoons SR flour 4 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons cocoa 1 egg 3 tablespoons milk 3 tablespoons oil 3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional) a small splash of vanilla extract 1 large coffee mug Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts (high). The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT! (th...

Yesterday, I visited a friends place to check out the new Stampin Up catalogue and create a card. Here 'tis - This card was nice and quick to create. Got to play with the Stampamajig (I think thats what it is called). I still need a little practice. The base card is SU Baja Breeze, stamp set - The Good Friends and papers - Good Morning Sunshine Designer Series. I can tell you that I bought everything on this card. :-) I ordered the new In Colour range, the stamp set that includes a bird and the papers. There are so many nice things in the catalogue it is hard to reduce the list down but I am happy with what I have ordered and now can't wait to play when they arrive. Visit Ruth's blog (SU demonstrator) as she will have the catalogue there.

I had fun doing this card. The layout I used was from one of the cards given to me by Rachel for my birthday. I used SU Brilliant Blue as the base card. Inside I stuck a liner of green paper and across the bottom two rows of glitter paper .....brilliant stuff. No messy glitter..... I can't wait to try the other colours. The front of the card I traced a half cirlce from the base of my glue bottle onto the centre of the card about 4cm up from the bottom. Then drew lines in from each side until they met the half circle....then cut out. Next I used the cuttlebug and the Forest Branches embossing folder to emboss the background. The fantastic mandala sticker I have from the Sticker Store which I coloured using Sakura pens . The top layer I added Dimensional to give it a glassy look. Layered everything up and finished with a silver Happy Birthday sticker.

I have been visiting blogs and seeing the wonderful creations. Also been noticing that so many generous people were offering wonderful Blog Candy (Crafting Giveaways) when they were celebrating their birthday, blog anniversaries or just because they felt like it. So I thought I might as well be in it to win it so created my second blog 'Hints of Candy' where I list all the prizes. Each day I go back to see who has won and post that on the original post so that people no that it is closed. Guess what!!!!!! it was my name I saw this morning over at 'Card Making Galore' . A lovely lady in Malta as put this up as Blog Candy. Check out her blog as she does do beautiful cards.

Good morning! on this beautiful Sunday morning ..... just a hint of coolness with clear blue skies. :-) Thought it was time to use a tear bear. I have used the Craftmad April Sketch Challenge layout for this card. The base card is SU Gable Green, a layer of bright stripy paper, then topped with a tear bear that I have cut from Bears and Greetings Cutout Sheet . Added a multi coloured Happy Birthday sticker. Along the bottom I used three paper flowers and added gold flower stickers for the centre.

I have used a dark green base card, added torn out squares or maroon mulberry paper. Toppers are a square of light green card. The roses I created by making swirls with coloured wire. Finished with a gold Happy Anniversary sticker.

Yes, it's time for a new sketch challenge over at Craftmad . This is the card I came up with. Next I will have to work on the second part of the challenge creating an Easter card. Not something I normally do but I am sure that my parents will enjoy what I create. For this card I used pink gloss for the base card. I inking around the edge with Stazon Timber Brown, also used the ink for the flourishes along the bottom.... SU Priceless. The brown paper is textured with raised spots...really nice...from Blue Edge Crafts . I placed the picture of the girl fishing behind the brown paper and marked an x with a pencil, removed the picture and cut along the x lines. Then tore and rolled the paper back to create the frame for the picture. Along the side I have added these wonderful gold glitter stickers . Added a greeting with a brass eyelet. Finished with three paper flowers with gold brads for centres.

I haven't done one of these for a while but always find them fun to do. I use black card for the base card and found this lovely background paper. I drew the flower onto thick white paper and then coloured with chalks. Around the edge I pricked holes and then with a black pen went from hole to hole - faux stitching. Finished by adding a handwritten gold greeting.

I had a great time putting this card together using stickers and scraps of paper. I used a light blue card for the base card. Found some blue textured paper that looked like water, then attached the sticker sailing boats, a couple of sticker birds flying by. I tore a piece of brown card for the peninsula for the sticker lighthouse to sit on. Finished the card by stamping out the word SUMMER using Timber Brown Stazon Ink.