Birthday Calendar Hanger

Morning everyone, this is a project I have wanted to share with you all of last week and now this week but have been waiting to give it to the recipient - my good friend Helen. (Merry waves to Helen) (Oh, and a special wave if Joy and Anita have a sticky beak).  This is her birthday gift.....birthday was in December and I have been working on it since then and finished it the weekend before last.    Finding the parts and the time is what made the creating such a long process.

Due to flooding and a friend's illness is why it took us a bit to catch up but last night we did.

I started with a Kaiser Craft Welcome MDF banner.  Firstly I painted it a chocolate brown colour and sprayed with my gold smooch to match the KaiserCraft papers that I found in my collection.  It was all too dark and I wasn't happy.  So then I mixed up the aqua colour to match the background paper and repainted.  Used a crunched up (clean) tissue to take off a little paint to reveal the brown underneath.  Again sprayed with my gold smooch....love this stuff.

The flower arrangement I created from what I have in my collection.  The skeleton leaves I bought from Pizzazz Aplenty.  Not sure where the beautiful and perfect centre brad came from.

The chipboard letters I searched high and low for online and offline.  I had originally bought a smaller set of letters from a local craft shop as they were the most appropriate at the time. I am so glad I found these online but I can't remember where exactly now.  This my first time at doing any sort of chipboard letters or mdf banner so all a learning curve.  Once I covered the letters I went around the edges with my Copic pen to cover up the chipboard edge.  Love Copic pens as on two letters I slipped and accidently drew a line on the letters.  'D' and 'A'.  Thanks to my colourless blender you would be none the wiser.  Brilliant.

I used Shrinky Dink plastic to create the discs for each birthday.  This is such fun stuff to play with, I should so use it more often.  I cut the circles out with my Spellbinder die, rough the plastic up with my emery board, punched a hole in the top and bottom........after doing 12 with just a hole at the top and shrinking them down to realise that I need two holes. Duh! I used my Copic pen again - BG34 as it was the closest match I had to the banner colour and coloured all the circles.  Then had fun with my heat gun shrinking all the discs down.  Love how the Copic colour intensifies and sticks so well.

Next I dragged out my Grafix  Rub-Onz pack.  I typed up all the birth dates and months and printed them onto sheets from this pack so that I was able to create my own rub-on.

Added three little gold chain links to each disc and attached the person to the appropriate month.

I originally had little wooden hearts all painted up and gold smooched to use instead of the discs but when I went to screw in the tiniest (and cutest) gold hooks and eyes they split the heart shapes.  I was disappointed to start with but am really happy with the end result.

Well I hope you all have a terrific weekend.   I will catch up with you all again on Monday.

Before I go a quick reminder that today is the last day to get your Easter entries into the Unstmapabelles challenge here.  If you are looking for an idea of what to do check out the Unstampabelles blog as the Design Team have been very busy creating.

I would like to share my hanger over at Make It Monday's #82 - Always Anything Goes

Relay for Life Fundraiser - 30th March

Relay for Life

CardmakingFundraiser

For team 5F - Fit, Fun, Friends, Feeling Fantastic

with 

Stampin Up - Ruth Massey

When:   Friday 30th March

Time:     7pm

Where: St. John’s Young Lifestyle Care

               Lot 3 Highleigh Road

               Gordonvale

$20.00 entry

Covers materials to create three cards and Supper.

Raffles on the night.

All money raised goes to the Cancer Council.

Email me (Merry) for booking details.

If Unable to make it we would really appreciate any donation you could give.

This is a link to our Team 5F

March Christmas

Hi everyone, I had a wonderful crafting day yesterday due to rain.  I completed  a few sewing swaps but I can't share then with you just yet as I would like the recipients get the first look.  I also received these wonderful papers yesterday and just had to use them.  So I got to, and started with the Craftmad Christmas Card Sketch for March.  I have turned it on it's side.  Started with Cobalt Blue Linen Textured Card already cut to a 13.5cm square card size.  Then added these stunning double sided Bazzill papers from the Worth Remembering range.  Hardest part was choosing which side to use.   I then cut an oval with my Deckled Edge Spellbinder.  Topped this with the beautiful Christmas paper tole.  The sentiments (from a magazine giveaway) I layered up on the Cobalt Blue Linen Card and raised on 3D tape.  All the products on this card except for the sentiment are from Blue Edge Crafts.

Side view to see all the layers.

A tad finer here today.  I have seen blue sky and sunshine but it comes and goes.

Have a good one.

Wet, wet, wet here (and swap blocks)

It comes as no surprise that it is wet here this morning as it is our wet season.  The surprise was to how much water was coming down.  Of course as I drove our daughter to school it was pouring down and the gutters along the way were very flooded, our creek was just below the bridge.  But now that I am back home it has eased off a little although as I type this I can hear the next heavy rain coming.  This is the view from my craft/computer room.  

Was wondering what I would share with you today.  Due to the rain I once again can't share a project that I am keen to share with you.  I have made something for one of my friends and was going to hand it over last Thursday but due to another friend having a really bad ear infection, and still does, we didn't catch up.  Plan was coffee this morning but where my friend lives tend to get flooded in in rain like this, so not today.  Maybe Thursday this week as we all plan to catch up then.  Can't share as I know that Helen does visit it my blog.  Waves to Helen. :-)  Although she has seen parts of this project some has changed at the end so will keep a little surprise.

I have no craft from myself to share as hubby and I spent the weekend in Brisbane.  Fantastic.  We went and saw Miriam Margolyes in Dickens Women.  Hubby had booked this so I really didn't know what to expect.  I had seen her on a Graham Norton show and thought she was quite funny.  So if anything I was expecting a little more humour in the show, there was some.  However, I did learn an awful lot about Charles Dickens.  Never read any of his books although watched Scrooge (A Christmas Carol) on TV often, Oliver Twist also.  I found Miriam's show very interesting and fantastic to see her bring the characters to life.  I think I have come away from the show curious now.  So would recommend.  However, it is not to everyones taste.....like the couple beside us who made it to interval and left. :-)

Thought this would be a good time to share the three blocks that I received for our Craftmad February Quilt Block swap.  February we had to swap a 'String Block'.  This one I received from Cathy....aren't the fabric's just beautiful.

This block is from the wonderful Kelly.  Love the combo of greens, maroon, and pinks.

Last but by no means least this bright and cheerful block from Annette.  Please excuse the fold lines...I should have ironed it before photographing.  Annette had sent it all so neatly to me...this is the way I had stored it.

Well enjoy your day where ever you may be.

A pile of Potholders

Hi everyone, thank you all for your lovely wishes yesterday.  I did have the most amazing day.

The sun was shining....first time in weeks. I had the wonderful surprise Blog Hop from the terrific Design Team ladies of Unstampabelles. So many wonderful wishes on facebook. Beautiful handmade cards from Kaye, friend Helene and the funny bought one from my little brother.  I suspect that there are a couple more in the mail but with all the flooding they are sitting in a truck somewhere waiting to get through.  Chatted to my sister, a friend I haven't spoken to for such a long time and another friend in New Zealand. My son cooked a yummy Rich Chocolate cake for me and gave me two blocks of chocolate. In between phone calls I had the relaxing task of making and completing my swap cards for the March Card Craftmad Card Swap. So they will be in the mailbox tomorrow. Then I made a start on my blocks and Ugly Fabric swap. Afternoon tea with my Mum and Dad.  Then another serving of cake when my SIL and little nephew who visited and my hubby when he arrived home.  Tea was cooked by hubby....salt and pepper calamari from scratch.  Tonight out to tea with my three friends from school days. 

I wanted to share with you the other potholders I made last week.  I really had fun with the pattern which you can find here.  So one more for us, one for the lady that gave me the floral material and two spares for gifts.

Have a wonderful Thursday everyone.

Oops almost forgot.

I received the wonderful Liebster Blog Award from Lauren over at Fairy Scribbles.  Thanks for thinking of me I really do appreciate the special thought.

Lauren does beautiful scrap pages, cards, sewing and today is sharing a wonderful organiser be sure to visit her blog.  And also live here in FNQ (Far North Queensland).  :-)

Seems like my secret is out. :-)

Morning everyone, and what a terrific day it is.  I was very surprised this morning when I received a lovely birthday message from Michelle - Ultimate Whirligig.  Was thinking she was a very good detective as I don't have my birth date in my profile at all.  I then went to my blogroll to start checking out what everyone has been creating and I spy a post from my wonderful friend Stacie at All Things Crafty posting about a Surprise Birthday Blog hop for me.  How special do I feel.  It has really made my day.  

Stacie has organised all the wonderful Unstampabelles Design Team members to post a surprise post for me on their blogs, you can find their blogs listed on the sidebar of Unstampabelles here.  Not only that, they share with you a card from them that I will be lucky enough to receive in my mailbox. Huge Grins.

So that is the secret that is out.  Thank you Lovely Ladies. :-)

The photo above is the third String Block that I sent out for the February Craftmad Family Quilt Block swap.  I was a little slower with this one as I had to wait till I went to town to buy a couple more pinks to add to the block.  I am really happy with this combo and love the fabrics.  Hopefully, this has found its way to Annette over in Perth.

Well have a lovely day everyone,  I know I will.  :-)

Seaside Stampin Up

This is the last card I made at the Stampin Up Fundraiser I attended a week ago.  Really had fun with this one.  We placed the Very Vanilla section temporally in place and stamped with the grass image.  Then we moved the Very Vanilla section down a bit and with the blue ink on the dauber went along the torn edge to create the bottom of the sea.  Then we turned the Very Vanilla piece around and placed it a couple of centimetres for when we had already inked and inked the straight edge to create the horizon.  What I liked that there was no wastage as what we used as the mask then became part of the card.

It's a wet wet day here in the tropics.  The rain finally rolled in at the start of March and hasn't stopped since.  Everything is so soggy and our little bridge actually went over on Saturday night.  First for the year.  So lots of indoor activities happening.  Craft.  :-)

Wishing you all a good one and thanks for stopping on by.

Happy Easter

Hi there I have another Easter card to share with you today which of course would be perfect for the latest Unstampabelles challenge...Easter.

I have used a Pink Rose Wavy Stacker Paper Tole sheet from Blue Edge Crafts the sponsor of our latest challenge.  I have cut out all the layers and then using silicone glue adhered them together.  The base card is Stampin Up Pink Pirouette then a layer of textured white paper.  The sentiment is computer generated and I finished with a little pink bow.

A photo to show you the layers.

Be sure to pop over to Unstampabelles and see other inspiring creations by members of the Design Team.

Have a great weekend everyone.  See you Monday.

Stamp Up Thank You and Liebster Award

Hi everyone, here is the second card that I made at the Stampin Up fundraiser I attended last Friday night with Ruth.  Sorry, I don't know any of the stamp names but love the how quickly this card came together and the way we added the raised flower.

I have been very honoured to receive this lovely award from three more people recently. 

Firstly from Denise of Scrappy D's House of Cards.

and Lesley from Lesley's Bit of Everything

and Annette from my Pommie Purple Patch

Since I have been lucky enough to receive this wonderful award from four people (posted Jane's here earlier)  I think I will take the time and play by the rules of the award.

This award is meant for up-and-coming blogs with less than "200 followers".  You need to pass the award onto five bloggers and let them know.  I would like to pass this award on to the following inspriational blogs, hope you can check out their beautiful work.

Now the hard part choosing only five bloggers as I think everyone I visit is amazing.

I am adding my own rule to my post....only to help me narrow down to five.  All these blogs are Aussie.

I would like to pass this award on to:

Annmaree of Emu Creations  who always shows off such wonderful techniques, cute images and wonderful photography of the area she lives in.

Loz of Laurels Crafty Retreat.  I think I have gotten to know Loz from the Make it Monday challenges.  Loz always leaves such lovely comments and her creations are so beautiful. Love the way she uses her dies.  Lately Loz has been taking the time to share tutorials on her blog.

Cathy of Cathy's Creative Corner who always has a nice thing to say and posts terrific cards she has created on her Craftrobo.  Also has a very inspiring sewing blog Cathy's Sewing Room.

Sandy of Sandy's Creations.  I love the way Sandy writes her posts up and enjoy reading her daily events and seeing the wonderful cards she posts.

Gail of Gail's Crafty Goings On. I love to see what Gail does with sketches.  She uses beautiful papers and I love the layouts that she comes up with in her cards.

Wishing you all a terrific Thursday.  Wet and slushy here....the wet season finally arrived last week and hasn't stopped raining since.  Just means I have to stay inside the house and closer to my craft desk. :-)

Flashback Friday Challenge 21.0 - Paper Piecing

The challenge over at Flashback Friday 21.0 this month is to post your first ever posted Paper Pieced project.  I had to dig back to Oct 2009 (original post here) for this attempt.  I had forgotten all about this card....so it was nice to revisit.  I must admit I do love the results of Paper Piecing and must do some again real soon.

Ice cream cones

Just a quick post today.

I made this last Friday night at a Stampin Up Relay for Life Fundraiser.

So we have used all Stampin Up products for this fun card.

Ruth Massey was our wonderful demonstrator.

Have a great day.

Mum's Birthday - Pop Up Dragonfly

I made this card for my Mum whose birthday was on Sunday.  Mum loves green and dragonflies.  I had already bought her a present of a large metal dragonfly to hang on the wall somewhere.  So when my friend Sherry of Loscann Cards shared with me a link to this wonderful place of pop up cards I just had to get the dragonfly pop up.

I downloaded this pattern from Easy Cut Pop Up and print it out on my Stampin Up Wild Wasbi.  I won this, a roll of the ribbon and matching inkpad at a Fundraiser night on Friday night held by Ruth Massey.  Yes, I was very pleased. :-) I cut and folded as directed I then went around all the leaf shapes with the Wild Wasbi ink to define them a little more.  The front of the card I added some large and medium retro flowers, DSP from Stampin Up.  The centre pearl brads are from Pizzazz Aplenty. Embossed a couple bits of scrap card with my Victoria embossing folder to give a little texture.  Finished with the curved gold birthday sticker from Sticker Store.

Tadah!!!  the dragonfly....I printed him out on white photo copy paper as I thought all my card stock was too thick.  If I was to do this card again I would definitely find a thinner cardstock for the dragonfly just for a little strength.

Top view

Right side view and yes it all folds neatly into the card.  I should have take a photo of the closed card.  

I have another three cards to try from this site.  Can't wait as this card was surprisingly easy, once I remembered the origami folds.

I would like to add this card to:

Make It Monday - #80 Always Anything Goes ends 19th March

Inspire Me Friday - #49 Always Anything Goes ends 16th March

P.S.  Remember that our challenge at Unstampabelles this month is all about Easter with a bonus entry for paper creations with more than one fold. We already have five entries and not one stamp used.

Potholder

The swap item for February General Sewing over at Craftmad was a potholder.  Yes, I was a tad late with this one.  Had everything cut, well I thought until I read the tutorial again realised I needed a little more batting.  As I only head into Cairns once a week.....well once a week with shopping time I had to put it on the back burner for a little.

We had done a potholder swap a couple of years ago and I really liked the style of potholder that my partner had sent me.  It was small and you inserted your fingers in the potholder to me able to grab items.  It went missing in the wash a couple of weeks ago and our son was asking where it was.  Thankfully we found it amongst clothes in our daughters room.

The potholder laying down is what I sent off to my partner Lauren (Fairy Scribbles).  Yes, I cut a five extra to use the fabric up.  Now we will have two new potholders and I thought these would make handy gifts for a couple of people.  I used the wonderful tutorial that I found at Field Trips in Fiber.

Click here to see other potholders that were swapped during the month of February at Craftmad.

For the month of March our sewing swap is certainly a challenge.  We are to find our ugly fabric and turn it into something wonderful and probably useful for our partner.  Should be fun.

Have a fun Thursday.....I am starting to feel like I am catching up a little. :-)

Doodle Calendar

Remember to click on the photos to get a closer look.

Well, finally a week behind, I can show you my completed February Doodle Calendar page.  I had a lot of fun this month with the larger squares to draw in (well doodle).  Time got away with me about a half way through February and I found I had to sit and try and remember something I had done a week ago.  That is hard work.  

Here is my March page ready to go.  Yes, I already have seven days to doodle in.  I am so enjoying creating these pages and using stamps I just haven't used.  The whole idea of this calendar came from The Kathryn Wheel Blog.  This is owned by Kate who is very inspirational and she has added a link up gadget so people can show off their versions of calendar.  The entries are very inspiring and have helped me each month change my pages.  Only the third month and I can see a huge improvement from January here.  Each month I visit a lot of the entries to get ideas from their pages.  So this month as I am using watercolour paper with a paintbrush I brushed water over the entire page.  Then I watered down some blue and yellow acrylic paints and painted stripes of these across the page.  It was fun watching them merge.  When I had finished I actually noticed that some water seemed to have pooled on the page so I took it to the sink and held it up so the water would run off.  Best bit....the colours all merged beautifully.  I am not sure of the brand of this stamp set as it was given to me by my friend Mandy a little while ago.  First time I have used most of these stamps.  The lettering for the word 'March' is a $2.00 set from Crazy Clarkes.  For the days of this month I thought I would try out the Bleed Proof Paper from Blue Edge Crafts.  So I cut out the rectangles and attached with double sided tape.  My plan is to doodle around the edge of all these days.  Although I hope to find a stronger coloured fine black pen that is water resistant any suggestions appreciated.

Thats it for me.  If you have the time please check out everyones calendars as there are so many beautiful pages.

String Blocks

Well I am certainly having fun with the new swap we have happening over at Craftmad.  This is the second block we have made.  This time it is a String block that had a lot of us stretched to the edge of our abilities.  It was fun to meet the challenge though and to use a variety of fabrics.   As I look at this photo now I wish I had another darker blue to replace the gingham.  Oh well, live and learn.  This block went off to Mandy who loves blue.

Check out the Photo Album here at Craftmad to see all the other blocks that were swapped.

It's a free forum to join.....maybe we might see you doing swaps with us soon.

Most of us a beginner quilt makers.

For March we are swapping a Jelly Roll Block design by the 3 Dudes.

This is the block that I made for Annmaree.  Annmaree put in a request for bright cheery colours like purple, yellows and pinks.  So I think I covered all of that.  Not sure if a couple of patterns work in this.  However, I think it looks much nice in real life.

Have a wodnerful day everyone.

Unstampabelles Challenge #9 - Easter

Surprise, I am still here.  Thanks so much for still coming to visit me.  One day I will catch up on commenting on your wonderful work.  Arm is on the mend but I can feel when I have had too much computer time which is not much in my books.  But slowly, slowly I will build it up. ;-)

Today is the start of a new challenge over at Unstampabelles.  We are up to Number 9 and it is all about Easter.  You will receive a bonus entry if your paper project has more than one fold.  So dig out all our papers and get crafting......remember the biggest challenge..... No Stamps (Rubber or Digital)

For my card I decided to do a Double step card.  Cardstock from Blue Edge Crafts (our sponsor this month) includes - Bazzill, Bazzill Two Scoops, Linen Textured cardstock.  I have also used Spellbinders from Blue Edge Crafts.  Spellbinder Circle die was used for the basket....circle cut in half and the base trimmed although you can't see it.  Eggs were created with Spellbinder Oval Classic die.  The larger flowers I punched with my medium Retro Flower punch and the smaller ones I used my Stampin Up punch with three of them in a row.  I ran the Retro flowers through my Stampin Up Lattice embossing folder then added bling to the centres.  The sentiment sticker is from the Sticker Store.

Well have a terrific day.  I have a bit of sewing, cleaning, and Post Office runs to do today.