Card Maze Challenge #3

Morning everyone, I have made this card using Stamping Vacation Card Maze Challenge #3

#3 Start Here Card Maze Challenge

Just follow the directions below and create!
1. Select a stamping wheel or regular stamps to create a border.....I used my Stampin Up (SU) Butterflies and Blossoms. Thanks so much Denise as I have had this wheel for about two years and this would be the first time I have used it on a card.
2. Select your ink colors.......the wheel came with SU Certainly Celery, the image I coloured using my SU Soft Subtles Inkspots.
3. Select an embellishment to go with this. I used three butterfly stickers.
4. Choose a bow or ribbon to add. I used SU Barely Banana ribbon
5. Choose the stamp(s) you wish to use. This wonderful Sarah Kay image I received in a Craftmad image swap.
6. Pick a layout (feel free to follow my example below)... layout came from my head. :-)
7. Pick out the cardstock you'd like to use. I used SU Sage Shadow.
8. Choose a Cuttlebug folder or any dry embossing template/stencil. This is an embossing I have received from a Craftmad swap.
9. Select gems or crystals to add some sparkle. Three pieces of bling on the border.

Crazy Quilt Needle Case and Kookaburra

Hi everyone, I have finished one of my needle case. I have so much fun doing all the embroidery stitches on these. Even added some lace and ribbon. I learnt something as well ...... my cuttlebug cuts felt and material. Have seen hints of this on this blogs but never thought to give it a go. On the weekend though, I did give it a try and the cuttlebug with the Spellbinder Nestabilities cuts through the felt so easily. Now my flowers will be unlimited. :-)

Flower up and close.

Inside of the needlecase

This guy came to check out what my daughter and I were talking about in the craft room. I can't believe how close he was to us and didn't even fly off as I got up to get the camera. This would be about 2 metres away.

Isn't he lovely. :-)

Sympathy Card

Morning everyone, well this afternoon will be full of tears for me I am sure. I am attending a funeral for one of my best friends Dad. This is my first ever Sympathy card that I have made. Normally I just can't create them and end up at the newsagents. This time however I saw a wonderful card at "The Lucky Clucker". Also, purposely, for me I have also set the weekly challenge at Craftmad as 'White with a hint of colour'.

I used a blank pre-scored white card from Blue Edge Crafts. Using my Octagon nestabilities and Ikki's wonderful tutorial I embossed the frame on the front. I then used a brass frame and my embossing stylus to dry emboss the flower image. Added the bow. Printed the greeting on my computer and added silver sticker borders from the Sticker Store.

Beautiful Blogger Award

I received this wonderful award from the lovely Alisha over at Crafty Brooklyn Army Wife. I have been enjoying her journey as she learns to sew and am inspired to dig out my machine again. Now the deal is to list ten things about me.....I think this will be hard. And then pass this award onto ten other bloggers. Easy to find ten other bloggers ....hard to choose who. :-) Here goes.

1. I am enjoy the mornings.

2. Love to walk our dog daily.

3. Volunteer at the Mulgrave Museum ..... come and visit.

4. Used to help create books.

5. Love the smell of the rainforest.

6. Enjoy a great bush walk.

7. Middle name is Marie.

8. Have visited Singapore, USA and New Zealand.

9. Is struggling here..... loves a cuppa tea first thing.

10. Enjoys gardening.

Now for my list of bloggers. I have decided that I will pass this on to my newest ten followers as a thank you for visiting my blog. :-)

Lisa Lee at Lisa's Wonderland of Papercrafts (AUS)

Linda at LF Cards (AUS)

Sammi at Mad for Markers (AUS)

Regina at SouthernOOAKS (USA)

Kylie at Antmee (AUS)

Gayle-Page at A Stampers Touch (CAN)

Sue at Sue's Spot (AUS)

Rusty at Droplets in a Rusty Bucket (UK)

Swaantje at Swaantje (GER)

Nattyj at eissua (AUS)

Sorry I had to miss a couple of new followers as I a link for their blogs didn't show up. Since these people have followed me I am now following all their terrific blogs. So many wonderful creations......be sure to check them out.

Crazy Quilting and a card from Cathy

This is what I have been working on for the past week or so when I have the time. Two more crazy quilt needlecases. I am hoping to finish these off today so that I can mail one off to Mandy as part of our swap over at Craftmad for back in January ...I think. Never to late hey!

This card I received from the lovely Cathy over at Cathy's Creative Corner. Isn't Tilda so cute, especially with her glittery wings. Love all the textures too. Thanks so much Cathy.

Penny - Spesch Designer Stamps

I have used this wonderful new image Penny from Spesch Designer Stamps.....thanks Tracey. I have coloured her with my water colour pencils and aqua pens. Layered on top of yellow paper that has been run through the cuttlebug with the 'Swiss Dots' embossing folder.

Boy Birthday Card and My Birthday Cards

Hi everyone, a little late today. I have been out doing driving lessons with my son. He is getting so much better. :-) This card is for my nephew who will turn 12 at the end of April. I think I am very safe posting a photo of the card now as I don't think his Aunty's card blog is top of the list of things he visits. Another reason for this card is to slot into the 'Male' theme I have set for the Craftmad Weekly Inspiration Challenge. I have used black leather craft card for the base card. Then a layer of lovely denim coloured metallic paper from Blue Edge Crafts. A triangle of paper that I received for my birthday. Wonderful paper as it already has adhesive on the back. I added three split pins in the top left corner. A strip of neutral paper that I also received for my birthday topped with lovely ribbon from Blue Edge Crafts. The image (Pip Chillin' from A Passion for Stamps) I have coloured with my watercolour pencils and then pin pricked around the edge.
Here the remainder of my beautiful handmade birthday cards I received. This lovely card came from my dear friend Helen. She has used the terrific SU Lovely as a Tree set.

This beautiful card came from Mandy over at Blue Edge Crafts. Are the colours pretty and such a cute bird image....which I have in my collection and should dig out and use.

A blue card from my wonderful friend Helene. Such lovely paper and great used of those border stickers.

Lastly, and never least this card from my friend Joy who always apologises for not been crafty and creating a card. I think she is very crafty/arty as she takes these fantastic photos and adds them to cards with appropriated sayings. This wonderful group of ladies were sitting on a bench in Italy minding their own business and Joy saw a photo opportunity ...... I wouldn't. lol Her photo is brilliant and she says this will be our group of five friends in much later years. We have know each other since school which we left ....... eeek 30 years ago. OmG!!! I should not have worked that out. Joy thinks I am represented by the lady on the far right.

Side Step Card - Thank You

Finally found time to try out one of these side step cards. So much fun to do. I have created this card for our monthly swap over at Craftmad see the other versions here. I have used SU Summer Sun for the base card. The side of the card I have used SU Design Paper in the Certainly Celery shade. Butterflies are from SU Priceless stamp set. A wonderful white 'Thank You' sticker from the Sticker Store. The watering can image is one I received in a Craftmad Image Swap - Hero Arts H910 Watering Can Bouquet.....it is so pretty.

Oh guess what I won one of the PurpleLady's 29 day giveaways actually it is the one on my sidebar. Be quick as she is into the last few days of the giveaways.

Lastly, I just have to let you know about my SIL's new Etsy store ScentsAnnStitches. She is still setting up but you can visit and watch her grown. At this stage Ann has some lovely looking wax tarts for your burners. The list of scents is huge and makes me hungry when I read it. :-) Be sure to pop back as I am sure you will see some of her wonderful quilting before too long.

Birthday Cards

Morning everyone. Thanks so much for your wishes yesterday. I had a lovely relaxing day. Chocolate cake cooked by my daughter and shared with my family. This was followed by very comical entertainment on Guitar Hero and me accompanying on drums. :-) I will stick to card making. I just wanted to share some of the cards I have received. These are the people that continually inspire me.

This is from my daughter who discovered my beautiful Heather Bailey paper. I love how she has cut the top corner off and added the triangle making look like it has been bent over. I must make a special mention here of my son who went out of his way and created a card for me on the computer.....very special. :-)

This amazing card is from my Mum. Love how the stickers follow the curves along the bottom edge of the card.

A fantastic card from my friend Rachel down in Ayr. I love how Rachel make corrugated card look so good. Love the added the beads and the different sections on the card.

My wonderful friend Fran in New Zealand has created yet another lovely card. The base card is actually a dark pink mirra type card. The heart is freehand cut and doodled on. The silver layering is from a box that Fran has recycled.

Lastly, today but by no means least this beautiful side step card from my friend Kaye (click here to see more of her beautiful work) over at Craftmad. I think this is very me with all the flowers, butterflies and gardening.

Happy Birthday to Me!!!! :-)

Yep, today is the day that I entered the world ???? years ago. :-) We have blue skies and sunshine first time for a couple of weeks so that is a wonderful start to this day. Tea last night with a friend and her family and family over today and more friends tomorrow. A great time. Have a great weekend and I will catch up with you all on Monday.

More Joy Fold Cards.....Diamond and Octagon version

I am having so much fun digging around in my papers to create these cards. I have used my Octagon Spellbinder Nestabilities for this card. The stamp I received from my secret santa at Christmas time and the first time I have tried it out. A pretty image isn't it. I have coloured it with my watercolour pencils. The flowered background paper is again from a magazine. I have matched it with a lovely plain blue paper in my collection which I have run through my cuttlebug using my 'Bloom Dots' embossing folder.

This time I just placed the small square card on an angle so it took on a diamond shape. I have used Kaisercraft 'Fun in the Sun' paper. A cute cupcake image from Stacie over at All Things Crafty. I have coloured it with my watercolour pencils and added a touch of glitter to the icing. Finished the circle with some leftover circle from my silver greeting sticker sheet.

You can't really see but the one side of the yellow card has been embossed with Swiss Dots. For the flower card I have used Bazzill Bling on the inside of the small card.

Joy Fold Birthday Card - Cracked Stained Glass

Morning everyone, I have had so much fun creating this card this morning. Yes, I know another Joy Fold card, be warned I have another two variations I still want to try. Once again I have used the black leather craft card as my base card and for the topper. I have cut the topper with my Spellbinder Scalloped Edged Circle. How lucky was that ...... just remembered the name of the image was on the back as I had received it in an 'Image Swap' from over at Craftmad. Thankfully I have trimmed the name off in one piece and it was in my bin. :-) It is from Inkadinkadoo - Best Friends. Very pretty and fun to colour with my watercolour pencils. This morning Cheryl over at 'My Cardmaking Haven' posted a tutorial on Cracked Glass. Eileen over at Ikki's Cuttlebug Cupboard had also written a post about Triple Embossing. So I thought why not try it all out today. So much fun embossing so many times and then putting the image in the freezer and cracking it. :-) The striped papers on this card I have collected from a UK magazine giveaway and the blue background paper is 'Making Memories' - Boho -Lauren Box Flower. Oh and I can't forget the lovely black greeting sticker I used to finish it all off.
Inside...I have lined the circle with some Mulberry Paper.

Andrea and Paper Flower Card

Lol.....forgot to upload the image....second time lucky.

Morning everyone, it is a drizzly rainy day here today. Part of my catching up with my friend yesterday meant that we wandered around the shops. :-) Finally, I bought an acrylic block long enough to hold this wonderful 'Andrea' stamp from Ruth over at A Passion for Cards. I also spied these wonderful dressmaker pins in the $2 shop and bought a small container. I have seen people adding these to their flowers and ribbons and cards and it just is a great finishing touch.

The card was created for the Weekly Inspiration Challenge I set over at Craftmad. Theme: - Green and Cream. I have used a cream card for the base card which matched the Heather Bailey paper I received. Can you tell I really really like this paper. :-) The image is backed with SU Sage Shadow. I have coloured the image with SU Soft Subtles inkspots and my aqua pen. Copic pen E51 for her body. The ribbon and paper flower is from Blue Edge Crafts. I have topped the paper flower with two punched out paper flowers and a touch of bling. And used my dressmaking pin for the first time.

Exciting news I won the random draw for my circle easel card I created for my Mum's birthday over at There She Goes. They have a wonderful sketch for their challenge this week.

Lastly, thought you might find this interesting reading.....I did! :-) A post over at Going Green Crafters and Artists.......'My Blog is Carbon Neutral' I am off to plant a tree.

Snail and Ladybug Joy Fold Card

I am a little late today. I started this card this morning but had to go and catch up with a lovely lady that I haven't seen since December last year. Back again now and finished this card. I have been wanting to try one of these cards out since I saw Kylie's wonderful tutorial over at INKlings from Kylie's Craft Room. Funny thing is I have had a pile of black leather craft card in my cupboard for a little bit and on the weekend got to and cut them all down to card size. I had the exact sizes already cut....just had to trim the front flap of the big card. The papers on this card have come free from some UK magazine...aren't they lovely. I have also used bazzill bling card from Blue Edge Crafts. The cute image I received from Stacie over at All Things Crafty. I have coloured it with my watercolour pencils and added some Dimensional Magic to the ladybug shell and the drops of rain. The inside of the small card I still have to add a greeting but wanted to show you all this card today. The lovely textured paper came from Blue Edge Crafts and was a perfect colour match to the red flower. I was finding this really hard as all the reds I seem to have are yellow based reds and I needed the blue base red.

Tilda Birthday

I had a fun time creating this card. I started black leather craft for the base card. Next a layer of the beautiful Heather Bailey paper I received. Just love the colours. A black scalloped edge cirlce Nestabilities. I coloured this Tilda that I received in an image swap over at Craftmad. I coloured her with my SU Soft Subtles Inkspots and my two copics. Yes, Stacie, I finally had a go with the pen you sent me...thanks...love the colour. I have added glitter to her dress and wings. Then cut her out with my plain circle nestabilities and added the black sticker Happy Birthday greeting. To finish off the card I have added three flowers that I created by cutting

rough freehand circles and then crumpling the paper up, open out and rub over with an emery board. My daughter and I had a chuckle as I was madly going through the rubbish as I had accidentally thrown one of the centres out. Here I am looking through rubbish for a crumpled circle. hmmmmmm

This card was created partly because of my Weekly Inspiration Challenge over at Craftmad. Which was one ribbon (mine got cut into three pieces), two yellow beads...centre of flowers, three flowers. The other reason for creating this card was to have a go at the Magnolia Down Under Challenge #37 which is 'Happy Birthday'. They are celebrating one year of challenges and I joined in their blog hop and was very very inspired to drag out a Tilda image.

I would like to enter this into these challenges too:

Crafty Creations#58 - Make your own flowers

Cupcake Craft Challenge #81 - Flower Power

Paper Cutz Challenge #32 - Anything Goes

Fun with Shapes and more #44 - Happy Birthday

Secret Crafter #74 - Anything Goes

Nan's Birthday and Congratulations Learner Driver

This is the card my Mum made for our son on getting his Learner Drivers Licence. The same day he was going for the test Mum had bought a magazine and spied this card in it and just knew she had to make it for our son. My son loved it and especially that the car colour was red.

This card my daughter (14yo) created for my Mum (Nan) for her birthday yesterday. I love how neatly she has hand cut each of the petals for the flowers. Also the strips down the side with the stickers down the centre.

Happy Birthday Mum - Circle Easel Card

Happy Birthday to my wonderful Mum who inspires me in all things crafting constantly. I won't be posting info for this card here as I am really honoured to be on the front page of Craftmad. You will find all the materials and how to here.

Now this card came about because of Denise's 'Pick Three Challenge' which thankfully she has changed to monthly otherwise I would have been late.

I have chosen:

Use an image starting with 'S'........I am sure this image is "Spring".

Use ribbon with words on it.

Use the colour combo of green, pink and yellow.

I like this card so much I am going to show it off and enter in a couple more challenges.

Stamp Something - Something Girly

Cupcake Craft Challenges #81 - Flower Power

ThereSheGoes 45 - Yellow Spring Flowers

Lili of the Valley #48 - Easel card

Ooh La La #49 - Anything Goes

Kaboodle Doodles#26 - Happy Birthday

Build A Sketch Challenge - Birthday Card

Morning everyone, a tad cloudy and showery here this morning.

This is the sketch that I have come up for Denise's Monthly Build A Sketch Challenge over at Stamping vacation. Such great fun. I love putting all the pieces together and seeing the sketch appear in front of me.

This is the card I created using my above sketch. I have made this card for a lady that I have met online and we have had some wonderful coffee morning together. I have used a glossy white pre-scored card for the base card. Next I layered up the wonderful Heather Bailey Design Papers that I received from Kylie over at Antmee. I have used this wonderful free digi image from Sketching Stamper. I have coloured the image with my watercolour pencils. Finished the card off with a terrific gold sticker greeting.

Purple Lady's 29 Day Giveaway

Just thought I would share with you that BrendaLea over at her PurpleLady blog is being very generous with a 29 Day Giveaway. Yes, various items ever day. This is todays wonderful little collection. No they are not all paper crafts so the giveaways will appeal to everyone. Have fun!!!

Memory Card Game or Concentration

I was looking around the internet for ideas to use up my scraps of paper. I just can't bear to throw any pieces out. However, I do have a clean out about every six months. I grab the container and with my eyes closed make my way to the bin and dispose of my bits and pieces and start again.

Anyways, I spied a Memory Card Game using different scraps of paper. So I have made a couple of sets up for my Etsy store. They were were so much fun to make and so wonderful to give that little piece of paper a purpose. I have wrapped pieces of cereal box in a bright coloured paper. Then stamped on the back .....for the green set I have used an image from the SU Priceless set. The star image I bought years ago and it doesn't have a name on it. Then the front of the cards I used my Spellbinder Nestablities Scalloped Edged Circle and Octagons to cut the shapes for the card. Some of the cards I have added cute little stickers.

Pop Up and Twirl Anniversary Card

This is the card I made for my Mum's and Dad's recent 46th wedding anniversary. This card is a one off as it took me a lot of covering up of my mistakes. :-) Still worked in the end. For the front I have SU Bravo Burgundy for the front of this card. Stamped a flourish from the SU Priceless set with clear Versa Mark. I have folded this lovely little pot holder from Kaye's idea in the Craftmad Christmas Journal. Added a gold sticker greeting from the Sticker Store. Twisted some gold wire into leaves and stems and topped with some beautiful glitter hearts I picked up from the $2 store.

This is where I started this card ..... on the inside. While blog hopping I came across a wonderful Pop Up and Twirl Card and ended up at Splitcoast Stampers for the tutorial. I misread a couple of the instructions so had some holes in the wrong places but I think I have successfully covered them up. When I first started this card I had a rough garden string.....for the record this does not work, it doesn't run smooth enough. I now have some cotton crochet thread. I have used SU Blue Bayou for the inside. The greeting I received from Deborah March a long time ago but finally found the right spot for it. Once again I used the Flourish from SU Priceless stamp set. Also the gold heart stickers from the $2 shop. If you go check out the tutorial there is a video there that shows one of these cards in motion. As you open it the heart section spins around.

I am a bit slow showing this off. Just never thought of taking a photo at the right time. I checked all the blogs in the One World One Heart (OWOH) blog hop in February. I so love this journey the second time I have taken it. This year I was lucky enough to win a prize from one of the blogs I visited. Kylie over at Antmee sent me two wonderful magazines and some beautiful Heather Bailey Design papers. Thanks so much Kylie and I am so glad I got to visit your blog and discover you. Kylie has lovely sewing projects on her blog be sure to check them out.

My Etsy Store - Standby Cards

I thought that I would give my Etsy store another try. Originally, I tried to sign up with Merry in my username but it kept coming back telling this was already used. So I thought I will name it 'The Pyramid' which is virtually what I see out my window. This is a mountain that looks like a Pyramid. I didn't realise at the time that my username became my store name. I sold a couple of things which was great but I didn't really put any effort into reading up on what would help to get more people to look at my shop so visitors dropped as did my interest.

Anyways, I have been thinking about items to create and come up with a couple. Closed my original shop and now have an Etsy Store called 'Merry Made Creations'. Much more appropriate I think. Even had a lovely header and avatar made special for me. :-) So now I am trying to think of flat, lightweight items to create. Only because I live Australia and I found that the customers I did have all lived overseas and the postage is a killer when items are a funny shape or heavy.

So I have come up with these card pack called Standby Cards. I am creating four cards which have a silver medallion added to the front. I then include six greeting discs so that the purchaser can add their appropriate greeting as the card is needed. If nothing else I have had a fun time creating these. I love the bright and cheery colours.

I have used white pre-scored cards and either added various strips of papers or a variety of circles which I have cut with my Spellbinders. The silver medallions are silver jac paper added to a thing card and then cut out with my Scalloped Edged nesties. The greetings are wonderful Just Rite Stampers.