Second Butterfly Card

Here is my second butterfly card for the Craftmad June Card Swap.

This time I started with a blank white card then added this pretty embossed paper.  I found it in my collection and not sure where I received it from.  Then I dug out my Creatables butterfly die and cut out this lovely white butterfly which I added blue bling to his body and a blue bling to the top corner.  Found this fun green ricrac in my ribbon collection and then layered up some paper flowers to finish off the card.

A quick post for me today....

Close your eyes Mandy.....one of my butterfly swap cards

Wednesday is here, goodmorning everyone.

Today I have one of my butterfly swap cards for the June Card Swap over at Craftmad.

I wasn't liking this card last week but I have done a couple of alterations to it and now I am much happier.

I started with a lovely piece of Kachina Bazzill Card for the base card.  I cut out four squares to create the window.   Then added a piece of acetate and topped this with the textured brown paper to create the window frame.  Next I inked up the butterflies from the 'SU Priceless' set.  I used my inkspots to get multicoloured butterflies and then added a flower bling to one wing.  The flowers I punched using my small retro flower punch and matching SU cardstock.  The leaves were also punched.   Around the edge of the window frame I stamped some flourishes with Versa Mark and a flourish stamp from the 'SU Priceless" set.  I have added a gold sticker "A Gift for You" in one of the panes of the window.

I forgot to take a photo of the inside but I have attached matching butterflies to the inside and have some more flowers running along the top edge of the window frame.

Well best keep going.....happy Wednesday everyone.

Thinking of You

One of my school friends I was talking about in my list of random things in a previous post is having a sad time at the moment.   Her lovely black labrador .... Guinness who was 12 years old, sadly died a week a go.  My friend is really feeling the void that losing this lovely furry friend has created.

So I just thought I would send her a little something in the mail to help cheer her up.

I started with a blank white card then a layer of SU Taken with Teal next this lovely checkered paper from a DCVW pack I have.  This wonderful butterfly was drawn my Jenni over at Cardmadfairy and you can find it here.  The butterfly has been coloured with my copics.  I then cut it out with my new Labels 18 Spellbinder and while the die was still on the cut out I went around image with my blue metallic chalk.  (Thanks Helen for this wonderful idea, I am loving doing it to all my die cut outs now).

Finished the card with this lovely white sticker sentiment from Sticker Store and a little cross grain bow.

Happy Tuesday all.

Gardening

Morning everyone, just thought I would share where I have been every day this past week.  First it was about an hour of weeding and trimming and then an hour of shovelling mulch for each garden.  I it very much an aaaaaahhhhh moment with a smile now that I have finished.  The gardens are not the prettiest at this time of year as we are in Winter here.....so now flowers happening.  That is why I have cut everything back.

This is a closer look at the garden above.   

This garden is a before shot....no mulch and the bushes have not been trimmed.  Now they are all half the size. :-)

Not very pretty but hoping in a month it should look much better.

The last cubic metre.

My favourite garden which we refer to as the 'Triangle garden".

Our street was alive on Saturday....which was such a nice change but not something I would like often.  Once a year for the gymkhana (sp?) is great.  Apparently they had just over 60 entries all riding around in the arena area.  One of the committee members said they may have even made a profit this year....which is great to hear.

Yes, I am standing in our yard taking this photo.  I take where we live for granted sometimes until I see photos like this and it just reminds me how pretty of an area it is.

Well that is it for me today.  I promise I have some cards coming in the next few days.

Wishing you all a fun week.

Caught up and a Sweet Blog Award

The lovely Kelly over at Kel's Kaszazz Kaleidoscope gave me this wonderful award last week.

Yes, I am a little slow posting this but appreciate it all the same.....thanks so much Kelly.

The rules are simple:

1. To send a thank you to the person who nominated you and to include their link.

2.To accept this award, answer 7 random facts about yourself.

3. Finally, pass this award on to at least 8 other awesome blog buddies.

Ok, here are the seven random things about me.

1.  I am still in very close contact with four terrific school friends.   School was out 31 years ago......how can that be possible???? :-0

2. I really enjoy gardening and have been out mulching all this week.  I think my garden is much happier.

3. I have reversed into a huge...huge gum tree.  Just did not see it. lol

4. Sometimes I love to embroider.

5. I think Mexican food is very yummy.

6.  I love black jelly beans.

7. I need to get off this computer and do some crafting.

As I am a bit late posting about this wonderful award.....I would like to pass this on to all those who visit my blog but have not yet received this award.

Well, now I am up to date in blog land I can now go off and catch up on some cardmaking.

Take care everyone and have a fantastic weekend.

Cardmadfairy's Digi Days Challenge - Taste of the Orient - DT Card

Hi everyone, two cards in one day.  Yay!!!

This card is my Design Team card for the newest challenge over at Cardmadfairy Digi Days.

This time we are asking for 'Tastes of the Orient'.  If you are looking for some fantastic Oriental style Digi images to use you should look here at Jenni's new releases.  Best bit they are only 99p each.

This this challenge is sponsored by Little Claire be sure visit and check out the shop.

You have until the 8th of July to enter this challenge.   Remember you must use a Digi image on your creation for a entry.  However, if you use a Cardmadfairy Digi image you can enter as many times as you like.

Now onto my card.  I started with a grey base card which I folded into a gate style card.  The right hand side I had a strip of metallic red card then two different black and gold origami papers which actually come from Japan.  (Our exchange student last year gave them to me as a present).  The right side I have added a strip of gold vellum and then embossed the metallic red card in my 'Branches' embossing folder. I add the the lovely red brad to the bottom right corner.  

I coloured Cardmadfairy's 'Oriental Fairy' with my copic pens and then added a touch of Kindy Glitz to the wings and gold to her outfit.  I cut her out with my Oval Spellbinder and while the die was still on I chalked around the edge with gold metallic chalk.

Finished the card with these fantastic gold chinese stickers.

Ok, now it is your turn.....I can't wait to see what you come up with.

I would love to enter into the following challenges:

Rainbow Lady's Challenges -#158 Digi Day ends 30th June

Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT Challenges - #33 Use Red ends 28th June

Bunny Zoe's Crafts - #13 Fairies ends 10th July

Lightbox and Waterfall Card

Morning everyone,  yes, don't fall over but I have a card to share with you today.   Actually, shock I have two cards but one will be posted later tonight as it is my Design Team card for the new Cardmadfairy Digi Days challenge....think Oriental.

I just have to share my new lightbox.  Now I got this idea from someone's blog that I visit and I am really sorry but I can't remember who you are....please tell me as I would love to link to you.

I have hotglued four painting canvases together and bought a Daylight bulb for my desklamp.  I do like the photos that I get from it and now I don't have to worry what time of day it is.   The photos below are taken this morning in a room with the curtains drawn.  

This card I have been working on for a couple of days.   I love waterfall cards but it always takes me a little get my head around how it all works when I do the first card.   This cute Pure Westie image comes from a sheet that has two waterfall templates already to cut out.  Same images, two sizes...this is the larger one.  I will do the smaller one soon and post a couple of photos of how too.  Just in case someone else is struggling on how to put it together.  Plus I can come back here and go "uh huh".  :-)

I have finished the card with leftover gold sticker pieces.  Added leather straps as the pull.

Here is the card....as you pull the tab and the panels flip up to reveal more cute Westie pictures.

My Mum's Craft Shop - One for the Boys ends 28th June

Tuesday Throwdown - Masculine ends 28th June

Make it Monday - Always Anything Goes ends 27th June

I am here

Hi everyone, I am here....I just haven't been able to get to my craft desk in the past week.  Well, that is not true I have made two cards but they are for my swap partner over at Craftmad and I know that she visits here from time to time so don't want to share just yet as I may spoil the surprise.

I now have pile of 4 cubic metres of mulch on my front lawn that needs shovelling to some gardens.  I have done one only three to go.

The other thing that has kept me busy was Relay for Life which was held last weekend.  I managed to stay up all night which was helped by the fact that it was our coldest day/night in June for four years 9-10C.  I only sat for a little bit then had to walk because the cold was creeping in.  So one lap, then we were doing a toilet stop because it was so warm in there. lol and for once we were not complaining about the queue.  Then back out for another few laps.  In the end Cairns had 200 teams the a record for Australia.  As of the weekend we had raised $501783.93.....how terrific is that.  The team with the most was Mareeba Roar with $27000. Our team has raised close to $3200.  So in all it was a great time.   Mind you I was a zombie on Sunday.  Managed a 11/2hours sleep as soon as we got home at 10am and then back to bed at 8.30pm.  Our daughter held out until 2pm and then we didn't see her until Monday morning.  Monday I had to have a nanny nap, so glad I didn't have to go to work.  :-)

So that is what I am up to at the moment.   I will return soon with some cards.

Don't forget the new Unstampabelles Challenge Blog and the Blog Candy on offer.  You can find that all here.

Realfood Box

Hi everyone, the start of a beautiful weekend here in Cairns.  The weather is looking perfect for our Relay for Life....although it will be chilly.  Currently 9 C, so glad I have my lovely big black jacket from our holiday at Christmas time.  We start walking at 3pm this arvo (Sat) and finish at 9am Sunday morning.  There are 32 of us walking around for the team....so will manage a little sit down time. :-) Cairns has such supportive people....not sure what the exact total is now but as of Thursday they have 200 teams participating in this years Relay for Life in Cairns.  Which is once again a National record. :-)

Yesterday, disappeared on me although I did get a card made I can't share it just yet as it is part of my swap over at Craftmad.  So today I thought I would share with you the Real Food Box that we have started getting.  We have been picking this up for about a month now and totally enjoying all the goodness.  This is a box of local grown fruit and vegies and most of it is Organic grown or as close to as possible.  Every Tuesday we pick it up.  The only catch for us in Gordonvale is that the drop off point is way over the other side of Cairns, at Redlynch but if you have a great group of friends like I do you can work something out.

So each week we get a box full of fruit and vegies that are in season.  No we don't get to choose what we get it's all a surprise every time.  I think I am enjoying that bit the best.  I don't have to think what we are having and then when it arrives look up recipes to use what we recieve.  The majority of the box we normally buy anyways.  We have had eggplant (aubergine) and taro, two things that we have not had before.  I enjoyed the eggplant .... no-one else did.  The taro, amazed me at how much like potato it tastes when cooked up and mashed.  Could not get the kids to try this for the life of me.  I did try to make a Taro and Coconut cake but it ended up very gluggy.  Think I added to much Taro, so if we get it again I will have another try. Luckily these two things are not regulars in our box.

The regulars so far are pineapple, sweet potato, corn (not every box), garlic, chilli, lemon, mandarin, avocado, basil, strawberries, pumpkin (not every box), potato (not every box), red paw paw (papaya) , passionfruit, zucchini, lime, red grapefruit, tomato (but only a couple).

It think that is about it.  The box comes with more than I used to buy but we are eating most of it.  My Mum and Dad have scored a couple of things over the weeks.  Not much though.  So this has to be a good thing for us all.

So if you live the area....I really think this is a great thing to enjoy and help our local farmers.

The Real Food Box

(just remember the 'We deliver every Tuesday' is just to the Redlynch School)

For Stacie.....sorry I have taken so long to share this with you.

Sometimes we have had an excess of avocados so I went in search of a way to use them up.  I discovered Avocado milkshakes.   I love them....but I can't get anyone else to even try them.  Oh well, their loss.

Avocado Milkshake.

1 avocado

1 cup milk

4 ice cubes

a dash of vanilla

1 tbsp of sugar

Put these all into a container and blend.

Then drink.

Well have a wonderful weekend all.....I shall catch up with you Monday.

Whoo Whoo a new card.

Hi everyone, I finally got to play and whats more got to play with some paper and a stamp I have wanted to try out for a little while

The owl image is from Whimsy Stamps and I won him ages ago in some blog candy.  Isn't he so cute....actually he stamps up cuter than the stamp.  I used my SU Taken with Teal inkspot to ink him up and some SU pens for the branch and leaves.  Then used a SU Blender pen to pick up the colours from the inkspot and pen to colour the image in.  I then cut the owl out with my new Spellbinder Labels 18 die....love it.

The I have used Bazzill Card for the base card and the pink layer.   The wonderful owl paper is new from Blue Edge Crafts called Sweetiepie Owls.

It is going to be one of those days.

Sorry no card to share with you today as I didn't get a chance to play yesterday and I know already that I won't today.  Pretty sad, that at 7.18am I am already behind in my plan for the day.  lol   Have a good one everyone.  Fingers crossed I will have something to share on Thursday.

In the meantime you could check out these great links.

Firstly, our Relay for Life team does some walking this weekend. We are so very please to have raised just short of $3000.00.  That sure a lot of sausages at sausage sizzles.   There is still time to help has raise funds to help fight Cancer....just visit our team page here.

Looking for someone to make cards for?  Once again some lovely ladies have started collecting Christmas Cards to send over to our Aussie Troops so they can send hope to their families at Christmas time.   So if you have a couple of minutes that you can create a card for them....then visit Tracey Hanshaw's site for more details.

One last thing.....and how can I not mention this.   The new Unstampabelles Challenge blog is up and running.  4th of July is our first ever challenge for all those papercraft creations not using a stamp with the exception of sentiment stamps.   Be sure to visit....as at this moment they have Blog Candy up for grabs and each day a Design Team members creation is being shown as an example of what to enter into our upcoming Challenges.

Best continue on my day and try to catch up.  :-)

Butterfly Day

Morning everyone,  first weekday after a long weekend, so I have the house to myself and lots of tidying to do.

This wonderful card I have to share with you today I made at Stampin Up get together on Friday night.

Yes, I finally got to put in an order for all the new cardstock colours.  Now I have lots of new names to learn.

Ruth was our lovely Stampin Up demonstrator and Gloria a terrific hostess.

We received all pieces of this card wrapped in brown paper and tied with a green ribbon.  A very clever idea on Ruth's part as the brown paper then became our paper that we stamped on and didn't mess up Gloria's table.

We started with a blank white card then added a layer of Melon Mambo.  Then a piece of Black topped with Crumb Cake.  We stamped the Crumb Cake with the wording stamp from the Stampin Up Strength and Hope set.  Then used flourish from the same set the along the bottom stamped in black.   The butterfly also from the Strength and Hope set was stamped using Melon Mambo and we added a bling to the butterly finish off.  Finished the card off with this beautiful black and white ribbon from Stampin Up.

Don't forget the Blog Candy being offered for the new Unstampabelles Challenge blog.  Which is all about 'No Stamps'.

 I would love to enter this card into the following challenge:

Make it Monday - #41 Always Anything Goes ends 20th June

Enjoying Italy with Joy

Just had to share this link to my friends blog....  Find the Joy

She is currently tripping around Italy and writing the most descriptive and fun posts about her wonderful holiday.  So far she has visited Rome, Sicily and currently in Siena visiting all the little towns around.

Be sure to visit if you would like an armchair journey to Italy.

Cardmadfairy's Digi Days Challenge - Underwater Theme - DT Card

Hi everyone, it has finally arrived ...... challenge #10 for Cardmadfairy Digi Days. 

I was ahead of myself thinking it was last Friday. lol

This challenge is all about underwater and Jenni has new wonderful images that are perfect for the challenge.  I have used the fish, seahorse and seaweed for this Diorama Card.

I coloured the images with my copic pens.  Chalked the blue sea in between the seaweed on the background.  The fish and seahorse are attached to a piece of acetate which sits behind the opening of the little fish tank.  I added some bling for their air bubbles.  The cutout is my new Spellbinders Labels 18.  I finished the corners with some more bling.

This view shows how the acetate panel is set in a little.

You can find instructions to the Diorama Card here at Craftmad in the Craftmad Male Journal.

The sponsor for this challenge is:

Stitchy Bear Digital Stamps

So now it's your turn to print out those Digital Stamp images and share your creation over at the challenge.  I can't wait to see what you come up with.

You have until the 24th June to enter.

Card for Romance

Today I have finally got to use these lovely black and white papers called Damask Black and White Diamond and  Damask White and Black Diamond.

The best thing about these papers are the added smaller version of the pattern under the main design. 

Hence the name 'Combo Papers'.  This makes it so easy and fun to mix and match the papers on a card.

So on to my card.  I started with the Craftmad April Card Sketch....yes, I am finally catching up on a few things. :-)  I must admit when I look at the sketch I don't see a great card but the outcome I really do like.  I really have to try out more sketch challenges, makes me do more layering.  I started with Stamping Up Basic Grey and then a layer of handmade black paper then the Damask Black and White Diamond paper.  Next was a layer of the black handmade paper and a square of the the smaller print from the 'Combo Paper' of Damask White and Black Diamond.  The sentiment is a silver rub-on and I added the cute heart bling at the end.  Finished with the thin red ribbon and bow.

The end of the week is here and we are heading into a long weekend.  Guess what the weather is doing....... yes, it is clouding over and getting ready for all those people that plan to go camping.  :-)  I am sure it will be fine next Tuesday and probably even cold again.  My weather predictions anyways.

Well have a great weekend everyone. 

I will be back tonight with a Design Team creation for the new Cardmadfairy Digi Day Challenge but otherwise catch up with you Monday.

Oh....and next week I can tell you a little more about a new challenge. :-)
This card would be perfect for it.

I would like to enter the following challenges:

AiFactory - #16 Use something new ends 16th June
Crafty Cardmakers - #47 Love the Lasting Kind ends 14th June
Make it Monday - #40 Always Anything Goes ends 13th June

Happy Birthday Boy

Hi everyone, thought it was time for a card.  So I started with the June Card Sketch from over at Craftmad.

I started with Stampin Up More Mustard.   Then a layer of this wonderful new paper from Blue Edge Crafts...... Past Spodia, Batik Brown Stripe.  Behind the image strips of SU More Mustard, Past Spodia, Brown Batik Patchwork and Brown Bazzill.  The digital image is a Mo Manning but I am sure you all guessed that.  I coloured it with my copic pens and can't believe that with over 20 pens I still need more. lol  The telescope I coloured with silver metallic pen.  The Happy Birthday sentiment is a lovely white sticker from Sticker Store. 

I would love to enter these challenges.

Digital Tuesday Challenge - #114 In the garden/outdoors ends 13th June

Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT - #31 It's All About the Males ends 13th June

A new Fabric Flower

Hi everyone,  yes I am having so much fun with these fabric flowers.  I found another one that I had to try.  I found a wonderful tutorial over at Wise Crafts.  There are six layers to this flower and the flower can be created within 20 mins.

Now this next photo is of my custard and muffin I was having for dessert the other night.  I was just about to sit down and eat it and my 15yo daughter walks by and yells 'stop, I have to get the camera'.  Now I new it looked yum but didn't think it was that flash that it deservd a photo.

Well my daughter didn't see custard and muffin she saw a

'Heart'

How cute is that.

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone.

Flashback Friday Challenge #12 - Summer Colours

Hi everyone another challenge has started over at Flashback Friday #12 this time they are asking for the first card you posted with Summer Colours.

(Remember you have to repost the card not link to the original post)

I had to dig all the way back to April 2009.

The thing I like about this challenge is seeing how much I have changed over time as I sift through all my posts for my entry.  I have also learnt that my cards tend to use Spring or Autumn tones.

On this card I have used some wonderful sailing boat stickers.  Water like paper for the ocean and torn some brown paper to create the rocky outlet for the lighthouse.  Then stamped up the word 'Summer' and cut each letter out.

P.S. I know of a great new challenge that is coming that this card would be perfect for. ;-)

Terrific Tuesday everyone.

P.S.  In the last couple of weeks someone posted how there husband came up with the idea of using canvases to create a lightbox.  Silly me, didn't bookmark the page and now I can remember which blog it was that I follow.  If you visit and it was you please can you let me know as I so want to have a go at it.  Thanks.

Second Flower

I have an origami flower this time to share with you. 

I found a wonderful tutorial here at Scraps to Treasure.

I had fun putting this flower together although it did take a little longer than my satin flower.  

If I was to do it again I would probably sew through all the petals twice or three times to make it more sturdy.  I would also keep a closer watch on my petals.  Couldn't believe that I got to the end of sewing the petals together and seemed to be missing a small petal.  Could not for the life of me find it anywhere so thought I must have been going mad and cut one less.  Of course, the day after having it all constructed I discovered the missing petal. :-(

The centre of the flower I used my scalloped edge circle spellbinders and cut the shape from some pink felt then added this wonderful button.

Wishing you all a great week......so far Monday is looking good here.

Be quick... Cardmadfairy Digi Days challenge ends today

An update on the Cardmadfairy Digi Days challenge 9.

Jenni, has changed the challenge a little.

Now all you have to do is use the sketch OR the colour twist which is purple and blue.

So be quick and come on in and join the challenge as today is the last day and at this very moment only three entries.  So good odds on winning the prize from Glitterbabe's Digis.

Edited.....I did think that was a fast fortnight.....Jenni has just let me know that there is actually still a week to enter.  Oops! lol.  Sometimes I really don't know what day I am up to.

So you have plenty of time to enter.

A flower

I am so very late on my May Sewing Swap over at Craftmad.  Yes, MAY!! it should have been at my partners by now.  We had to make two handmade fabric flowers.   Well I have one done and another to do today.

This flower I made using some purple satin with a Snoopy print.

I followed the tutorial that I found here at Diamonds, Fur and Laundry.

I found it surprisingly satisfying sitting there burning the edges of the material. 

Probably not a great project to do when the kids are around as they may get ideas.

The only downside was that after burning all the layers I ended up with a yellow glow in my eyes from staring at the flame for so long. lol

My flower has nine (9) layers.

An update on what is happening over at Craftmad.

The wonderful Kaye has posted two new sketches to challenge us.....one for cards and one for a scrap page.  Kaye has even posted her version of what to do with the sketches.

The groups are open now for members to add there name to be part of the sewing swap and the card swap for June.

Sewing Swap is one Fabric Card

Card Swap is two cards using butterflies as the theme.

The Create and Chat night is on again this Friday night (3rd June, 7pm QLD time).

This time Kaye is talking everyone through a 'Handbag Album'.

Material list is here.

IMPORTANT:   You will need to be a member of Craftmad to join in all this fun.  Don't worry it is all free just pop on over and sign-up.  You can fast track the system though by emailing me your Username once you have registered and we will pull your registration form and make things happen quicker.

Must dash....happy Thursday everyone.

No flowers here.

View from Southbank to Brisbane Centre.

You will find no flowers amongst these photos.   This is my sons view of Brisbane.  Can you tell he loves buildings/design.  He did have plans to be an architect but digital filming has become his passion now.  I hope you enjoy our day in Brisbane.  I know that I saw a different perspective of the city to what I would have if I travelled by myself.

View of Brisbane centre from Southbank.

Outside Queensland Museum.

Me, walking from Southbank to Brisbane Centre.

The Wheel of Brisbane.

View from The Wheel of Brisbane.

on 'The Wheel of Brisbane'.

Another amazing view South Brisbane.

The Wheel

Paddlesteamer on Brisbane River.

The old and the new.

This building is special....look closely at the beams holding each floor....the criss cross up the building.

This will be the tallest building in Brisbane but work has already been started on another building that will be taller.

Have a great Wednesday.