Patchwork Card

I was blog hopping one day and saw a wonderful patchwork card and thought I would give it a try. This is my results. I think it was a friend of Lauren's as they were doing emboss resist technique. I have taken a photo of the card on an angle to catch the embossed flowers. I think I need a little more practice with this technique.

Retro yoyo flower card.

I thought it was time to have another yoyo flower card. I had fun with this. I used a nice hot pink board for the base card. Then added a layer of black....the fun bit....doodling around the edge in silver. Reminds me of a blackboard. Added the yoyo flower and bias binding for the stem and a white Happy Birthday sticker to the top.

Shop Till You Drop Card (cuttlebug retro flowers)

Mornin' everyone, I am back....today anyway.....I think there is still a bug in our computer somewhere. Stubborn little things are hard to get rid of.

This card I created using an image I received in the image swap over at Craftmad back in April. It was fun to colour....I used tombows and watercolour pencils. Now for the secret.....the blue on the jeans ran when I was doing the colour on the walls of the picture and that is was the beginning of the layout creation for this card. I was going to bin it but then decided to cut the image into different shapes and just so slightly cut the part of the image that bled away. I used SU Sage Shadow for the base card then a layer of SU Pale Plum which I stitched around the edge on the sewing machine, stamped using Versa Mark with a cute little flower stamp. Punched out a large retro flower and medium size. Then ran both the flowers through the cuttlebug using the 'Swiss Dots' embossing folder. I added a rose to the centre and idea I have seen Cheryl use on her cards are few times. I really like the look. Thanks for visiting.

Thanks Cathy

Thanks so much Cathy http://crafteecc.blogspot.com/ .....looks like I can use my blog again. I have removed my followers and I am no longer getting the message to say that they can't find that address and have to abort. Yay!!!!! Just got a couple of other things to tidy up on my machine as I have been offline since Sunday morning and now have to catch up. So fingers crossed tomorrow I will be posting a card for you all to see.

Hi ....I have been offline since Sunday morning.

Hi everyone, so nice to be back catching up with all my online friends. I have a lot to catch up on and I think it may have to wait until tomorrow as I have a headache today and my brain is really not thinking. But I shall return. Although I have a feeling I am going to have to move my blog over to hints of candy as my computer just won't let me use Merrymade other than going through Hints for Candy and through the Dashboard. I will see what I can discover tomorrow. Take care.

Can you just post a hello if you can read this post

Can you just let me know if you are able to still read my blog and posts comments. Thanks heaps. Looks like I can post by logging in through Hints of Candy but after hitting Publish Post I then asked to view Merrymade Blog and my computer tells me it can't do that operation. I seem to be able to visit other blogs......weird.

Having problems using my blog

For some reason I can't sign-in from the front page of my Merrymade Blog. To post this I am trying and fingers crossed this works.....coming through 'Hints for Candy' and signing in there, going to the Dashboard and creating a new post to Merrymade. Will be interesting to see if this will post. So I may be slow on posting until I can figure out what is happening.....or if this works I will just have to go the long way round tomorrow morning. Have a great weekend.

Touch of Summer.....Frangapani

Finally found time to colour these frangapanis I stamped a while ago. I have used a green coloured card for the base card. Added the thong background paper. Coloured the frangapanis in using an aqua brush and watercolour pencils and felt pens. The middle flower has a second layer which I attached with 3D Foam tape. I added a strip of pink card and used some of my rub on words that seemed apt for this card. Finished off with a touch of bling.

Paper Punched Circle Flower Instructions.

I had posted a card earlier with one of these cirlce flowers on. Everyone at Craftmad loved the flower and asked for instructions. So I wrote some up which are here. Only thing is you will have to be a member of Craftmad to see them. I did try to upload them here but it will take a bit longer than I have to post at the moment. So maybe next week sometime.....if I can remember. Without pictures this is quickly what you do. Punch out nine circles. Using eight of these circles fold them in half to get a crease line....open up...fold one flap to the centre...from the bottom....then do the other half. Now flip the circle over without opening. Fold one half to the centre again and then the other half to the centre. Tadah!!!! you have a petal....now complete the other seven. The nineth circle spread PVA glue all over and now arranged the petals on top of it into a flowers shape. Don't worry too much about the centre as you will cover that with a split pin when the glue is dry. Can you leave a link here if you have a try as I would love to see your flowers and where you end up using them. Thanks.

The stamps I have used on the card are from the Stampin Up Priceless set.

May Card Sketch Challenge - Craftmad

When I first saw this card sketch challenge I thought it was a little to simple. But I still had to have a go and love the results. I am so glad I tried it and will you the sketch a few more times yet. I used Bazzill Bling as the base card, the circle were from a decoupage sheet I had saved from a magazine as well as the greeting. A small strip of bazzill bling across the centre to hold the greeting and bling on the circles to finish the card off. Orange not a colour I normally use but I think this is one of my favourite cards. Have a wonderful Wednesday.

The Cuttlebug Spot Challenge #31 - Something other than paper.

I just saw this challenge over at 'The Cuttlebug Spot" and thought I just have to share these jigsaw pieces I covered in embossed and sanded foil. I then added a length of wire with a few beads. Finished by attaching magnets to the back so I could decorate my fridge.

Paper Punch Swap

This is the second card I created for the May Swap at Craftmad. Using more of the paper punches sent to me in the April swap. I used a light yellow gloss card for the base card, inked around the edges. Attached a scrap of brown card which I stamped the love birds on. Attached the ribbon and paper punched flowers and cirlces. I added leftover pieces of gold sticker to the centre of the flower and a gold heart for the birds to hold, and a gold border sticker for the top of the birds.

Two Blog Awards

Cheryl from My Cardmaking Haven....was very nice and listed my name with these two awards. Thanks so much Cheryl.... sorry I have just been slow posting them here they are very much appreciated.

The first award was orignated by Kellie Winnell Kellie started this award to thank all of the people that follow and comment on your blog. What a wonderful idea. This should be passed on to be passed on to 5 people.

The second award is The Gift of Love Award. There are no specifics for this award you just need to give it to 5 people.

So here are my five people I would like to pass the award on to.... just to say thanks for visiting so often.

1. Cathy

2. Sharon

3. Nilla

4. Ada

5. Lauren

Paper Punch Flowers and a Flourish

This is one of the cards I created for our May Card Swap over at Craftmad. We had to use the paper punched shapes that were sent to us in the April swap.

I have used a beautiful purple metallic card that I received from Josianne as the base card. Stamped two flourishes from the SU Priceless set. Then added the lovely paper punched flowers I received in my swap from CraftyKaz. I added left over gold stickers to the centre of each flower and to the butterflies. Love it when I can find a use for all of my stickers even the rubbish. I don't think there is ever rubbish in craft.......

Good Friends - Stampin Up

Finally, I used my new stamp set from Stampin Up...... Good Friends. This bird is so cute. Sorry not sure on the paper or card names. Really have to get my act together and find them out. I stamped the bird image on the rear of the paper and then cut him out. Cut a couple of legs for him and stamped up the 'good friend' greeting in Stazon Timber Brown. The brown along the bottom is SU Chocolate Chip which I ran through the Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots embossing folder. Happy Sunday everyone.

Happy Birthday Cupcake

I really liked how this card came together. I used black leathercraft card as my base card. A sheet of Papermania paper I received from Josianne. I then used SU Old Olive and SU Summer Sun. I coloured the image with water colour pencils and added a touch of kindy glitz to the icing. The image I received in an image swap over at Craftmad. The greeting is from a magazine giveaway.

Baby Girl Congratulations

I haven't done a baby card for a little while..it is nice to use the softer colours. I used a pale pink card for the base, then a layer of pink bazill bling. Next I arranged three images that I had stamped up a while ago, adding a square of torn handmade paper underneath. Along the bottom of the card I used the Cuttlebug "Swiss Dots' embossing folder on a strip of pale pink card. Used the silver Congratulations (Letraset) rubon on what card and finished with a baby bottle eyelet.

Party Dress Card (Stickers)

Had fun creating this card. I started with the dress which I had stamped ages ago on cream leathercraft card. I wiped two SU inkspots (Bashful Blue and Pretty in Pink) across the dress to get the multi colour look. Added bling flowers to the stamped flowers. Attached to pieces of silver wire so it was shoestring dress. Found some wonderful glove and shoe stickers. For the gloves I stuck them to leftover pieces of the leathercraft which I had used the inkspots on. The cuff I stuck to pink gloss paper and cut out and attached with 3D foam tape. The shoes I coloured used a black gel pen. The base card and paper are SU Almost Amethyst. Finished the whole card off with a little knotted organza ribbon.

Had fun creating this card yesterday...just love the colours. I used SU Elegant Eggplant for the base card. Papermania paper (Easter theme). Bias binding for the stems. I covered chipboard flowers with purple glitter paper......again I have to say.....I love this stuff. No glitter on my face or hands afterwards. The centre of the flower is a paper punch daisy with a circle centre. I added kindy glitz to the white dot. The greeting is one I have saved from a magazine.

Just looking at this card it is virtually made from the two blog candies I was lucky enough to win. Paper and chipboard flowers - Josianne and Bias binding from Lauren

13yo Daughters Cards (Mum's day and Birthday)

This is the card that my daughter created for me for Mother's Day. Melissa always comes up with wonderful creations but as I said to her this is her best yet. I love all the layers of coloured paper. She has used rubons for the word 'Mum'. Best of all Melissa has used 'stick glue' on this card and has not messy glue spots or double sided tape showing.

This card Melissa made for her friend who turns 13 at the end of the month. Once again a fantastic layout. I can't believe how lucky she was to find the image she has used. Her friend loves all those princess but the silly faces is so Melissa. It's like she has drawn them on personally.

Pt 2 - Followers Blogs - Books, Cards, Travel, Home, Recipes, etc

Riane lives over in the Netherlands and has some beautiful cards on her blog. Kernowcards.

Cheryl has some fantastic cards on her blog. Wonderful layouts and brilliant colouring. My Cardmaking Haven

Denise has these lovely Hello Kitty cards on her blog that she creates also other wonderful cards. Denise Loves Stamps

Michelle is another cardmaking with wonderful creations. Michelle is also organising a Craft-a-thon..doesn't that sound like fun. My Paper Bliss

This blog is all in Spanish but thankfully has a translator on the blog as it is great to read the story behind the books. The books created are all very beautiful. El Taller De Curra

Another spanish blog....I can't find a translator on here but this lady is so talented. Crocheting and sewing. El Blog De Clamir

This lady loves to share things that are around her and very crafty to boot. Isn't this a fantastic ring that she has created. Above Happy Valley ........ although now Happy Valley is a 5min walk away.

Rozzy is another fantastic cardmaker.....love the shape of this card. She has used some great layout in her card creations. Rozzybee

This lady creates the most wonderful boxes for photos, soaps etc. She also creates books and frames and has some wonderful tutorials. It is in spanish but has a translator on the blog. Enmarcacion y Cartonnage

This lady from Turkey has a lot of different things on her blog.....cooking and craft. Again...I am happy a translator is available otherwise I feel I am missing out. 3prenses

Nilla is another wonderful cardmaker that colours her images just beautifully. Live it - Scrap it

Michele has this wonderful blog writing about her travels and crafts. She also has this Ezine. Extremely Crafty

Followers Blogs - Books, Cards, Travel, Home, Recipes, etc

I just love coming in here each morning knowing that someone from around the world has come to see my humble little cards. I am so glad I discovered blogging and am constantly amazed at the talented people from all parts of the world. I love all the wonderful crafts and designs that people create....it is very inspiring. Michele became a follower last night and left a lovely comment so I was straight off to check out her blog which is so well written. As I said in a comment to her I will be back to visit later this week to read and look at more.

So I was thinking I just wanted to list all my wonderful followers blogs and if you have the time they are all worth a visit. I often wonder how many people visit anonymously. I know there is a person from Iowa and I just want to wave a 'hello' to you and thank you so much for visiting everyday.

These are in order they appear in the list. The list will be shorter as a couple of followers are wonderful friends without a blog. If you prefer I don't use your photos....could you email me and I will remove them....thanks.

MaggieR over at Magpie's Collectables has lovely sewn postcards, stumpwork and felting.Andee has beautiful jewellry and wonderful photography. Andeesigns

Cathy is a lovely lady I have met through and online Forum....Craftmad. Isn't this card lovely...you should see her Cuttlebug Cards. Cathy's Creative Corner.

Sharon does wonderful embroidery. Wildflowerhouse by Sharon Chapman

Lisa has such beautiful artwork. Lisa Lectura Creations.

BrendaLee...has some lovely recipes which I still have to try....seems to know where every giveaway is and is always offering her own RAKs. The Purple Lady's Art and Life


Athaliah is a college student who enjoys a bit of writing. On adventures and misadventures.

AmyB I think is a bit of a blog surfer like me she also enjoys crafting and has a fantastic studio. Her blog is a multi topic blog...craft and life. Living & Creating in the Sweet Virginia Breeze.

Mother's Day (Circle Challenge, decoupage, paper tole)

Good morning everyone, Happy Mother's day to all the Mum's out there. Hoping your day is full of love and memories and special thoughts to those Mum's who are no longer with us.

This is the card I created for my Mum with my Mum's help (she was unaware at the time). I was given a couple sheets of paper tole/decoupage pictures from a lovely lady - Mandy. I am hopeless at cutting out this fine detail but my Mum with a little older eyesight than me does a brilliant job, has the patience and really enjoys doing it. So I passed the sheets over to her and Mum cut them out embossed details into each layer and then layered them together using silicon glue in lieu of 3D foam dots. Mum finds likes the different levels that the silicon glue gives compared to the 3D foam which is all the same hieght. I agree it has a more realistic look. Then Mum returned half of what she had created for me to use.

I spied them yesterday while thinking of a card to make Mum. Then thought I might as well try and combine the two card challenges over at Craftmad this month. First challenge is to create a card with circles either using the sketch supplied or your own layout and the second challenge create a Mother's day card. Oh, by the way if you are interested......this month their is a prize on offering. Every card posted in the gallery for the circle challenge goes into the draw on the 31st May for a mystery prize.

The base card is SU Old Olive....reason, my Mum loves green. I used clear versa mark around the edges. Layered up a little white doily, circle of SU Summer Sun inked around the edge, SU Old Olive run through the 'Holly Leave' cuttlebug embossing folder, white card run through the 'Swiss Dots' folder and then the beautiful paper tole roses. Along the bottom I punched out three circles added a strip of SU Summer Sun to the back of the holes. Stamped a heart into each circle and then used rubons to spell out 'Mum'.

Have a great day everyone!

Welcome to the World.....baby card

Just a quick card today. I have had this image for a little while and now have a reason to use it. A friend just became a Nan for the very first time.....how exciting. I have used SU Blush Blossom as the base card and a layer of SU Almost Amethyst paper. Stamped on the side with the flourish from the SU Priceless set and added a bit of bling to each corner.

Tear Bear Happy Birthday

I have used SU card as the base card then a lovely flowery background paper. Layered up the topper bear which I cut from a Bear and Greeting Cut Out Sheet. Along the bottom I used three punched out medium retro flowers. I ran these through the cuttlebug using a stylized flower folder. Brown dots in the centre and then kindy glitz the centre.

Craftrobo

Sorry I can't help you with buying a craftrobo in Spain but I know this wonderful online craft shop in Australia called Blue Edge Crafts that sells them. No it's not my shop just where I do a bit of shopping. You could visit here at Craftmad and read what people have written about the craftrobo.

Here is a little section at Craftmad about the Cuttlebug. Here is a site in Australia that has Cuttlebugs on....I have never shopped there only sharing the link as it has a picture of the cuttlebug and the embossing folders. If you have any other queries please ask and I will try to answer.

Kitten Happy Birthday (Craftrobo, Cuttlebug, Stickers)

This is a birthday card I made for my sister-in-law who loves cats. I used a blue for the base card. Cut the frame out using my craftrobo and then running it through the cuttlebug using the stylized flowers folder. I attached glitter paper to the back of the frame.....brilliant stuff as I didn't have glitter everywhere. Especially none on the tip of my nose that bugs me forever. I used watercolour pencils to colour the image on watercolour paper. Using this paper is a first for me and I think I need a bit more practice. Finished by adding the silver happy birthday sticker down the side with leftover sticker dots.

Tree Friends - Boys and Insects

Are these not the cutest Tree Friends (Kasazz). This is another image I recieved from Lauren...they were so much fun to colour. Finally got a chance to use my insect stickers that I bought ages ago.

Not sure what is happening here ..... blogger won't let my upload a photo. Off to find out why. Discovered that I had left a blogger post window open early and minimized it......so not bloggers fault it was mine.

Issue #2 Craftmad Journal - Mother's Day

Thought you all might like to check out the 2nd issue of the Craftmad Journal.......Mother's Day. Just click on the image and this will take you to the Craftmad homepage. Then click on the journal image (bottom left) you wish to read. If not visit the forum or gallery and check out all the terrific posts. Enjoy! The butterfly card below is the card I created for this journal.

Teddy Bear Card (Port Douglas, Queensland)

Hi everyone, I hope you all had a great weekend. We did! The reason I went missing as my husband decided to book us into a motel in Port Douglas, Qld, for the long weekend. Can't say no to that. So we had a wonderful relaxing weekend playing tourist.

Below is the view from my daughters bedroom....along the little pebble pool to the plunge pool, to the dining table to my hubby cooking tea on the bbq.

Below is the view from our lounge area......we looked out to the Great Dividing Range with a golf course in the foreground.

When I returned home I couldn't help but have a try at one of the images I had won in Lauren Colless's blog candy. So here is a beautiful Kasazz teddy bear (Lazy Daisy) lazing in the flowers. A bit like I felt all weekend. :-) I have used pink card, layered with green which I have run through a Swiss Dots embossing folder then a layer of metallic mauve paper. I coloured the bear with watercolour pencils and an aqua pen. Added Kindy Glitz to the pink flowers and metallic chalk to the purple flowers. Finished with a silver sticker border top and bottom.

Busy Weekend

Sorry, but you won't see anything from me until Tuesday next week as we have a busy schedule planned. Have a good one everyone.

Poppy Card

One of the members over at Craftmad showed a card wher she had used her least favourite colours. So I thought I might give it a go. Orange is not a colour that I use that often but I quite like the end result of this card. I used SU Pumkin Pie for the base card. Then I embossed SU Old Olive using the Swiss Dots folder. Added a layer of black leathercraft under the Old Olive. Topped with a lovely poppy picture I had from a magazine and finished with a piece of black lace.