Hidden Message Card

Morning everyone, I can't believe how organised I have gotten with my swaps this month.  Our card swap at Craftmad (gallery here) for the month of May was two Thank You cards.  Kerry had just posted a wonderful tutorial for a Hidden Message Card (here).  I just had to give it a try.  In the end I think my swap partner was lucky to get the card in one piece as I had such fun playing with the end result. :-)

So using Kerry's tutorial and some beautiful design paper and cardstock from Stampin Up.  I created this card.  The circle and larger part of the flower on the front are chipboard pieces that I have covered with the matching cardstock.  I ran the flower pieces through a variety of embossing folders.

This is what you see when you open the card. More embossed cardstock and gold butterfly stickers.  I can't believe that I totally forgot to sit and pick out all the little pieces in the butterfly.  Well I did remember when it was sealed in the envelope to go and thought if I got the card out again I would get sidetracked and not get the cards to my partner in time.

When showing my hubby this card ..... at this stage he was saying ... lovely...pretty boring though.

Then I squashed the centre piece up to create a mountain.

And magically you pull apart at the centre of the mountain to reveal your hidden message - gold Thank You stickers. Yes, hubby was impressed by this.  

Then to close you pull the two fronts of the card away from each other and it goes back to the flat position with just the butterflies showing.

Such fun!  This may look a complicated card but it is really easy to do and lots of space to decorate.

This would be so perfect for our Moving Parts challenge over at Unstampabelles.

Only two days left to enter and currently the odds are in your favour on winning the wonderful prize donated by Craftmad.   If you entered today a 1 in 10 chance of winning. :-)  So see you there.

I would like to share this over at:

Make it Monday #91 - Always Anything Goes

Inspire Me Fridays #60 - Always Anything Goes

Flashback Friday and another Origami Bag Tutorial

This month at Flashback Friday they are asking for us to share your first Masculine card that you posted on your blog.  So here is minet....December 2008 a birthday card for my brother.  I still quite like this.  I am sure just like brother would ask for a little unstated, nothing too over the top.

You can see the original post here.  And this is the link to enter your Flashback Friday 24.0 Card.

Another friend in blogland - Kylie at Antmee has posted a photo tutorial for a Fabric Origami Bag.  At first glance this may look like Jill's from Creating Success however the folds are different.  So it won't be long until I have a try at sewing Kylie's up.  So glad people take the time to take photos when creating a project so they can give us step by step tutorials.  Thanks ladies. :-)

Twisted Pyramid Mouse Card

Morning everyone,  it's Monday again.  Skies are a little bluer, air is a little cooler.  Only two weeks now until our son moves out of home and down to Brisbane to study. :-0  Only two weeks until my Brother, SIL, 2 nephews (20+ yo's) and a girlfriend fly in from Florida. So things are a happening and my emotions will be all over the place.  Enough chatter, time for a card.

Today I am sharing a Twisted Pyramid card.  I cut these images from the 'Head Gardner' paper tole sheet. I enjoy lining these images up for a wonderful effect.

I have started with some 'Baby Rose Linen Textured' card then a layer of patterned paper I have had since about day dot.  I used one of my border embossing folders on the piece of 'Purple Textured Linen' card.  Added a little bling to the embossed flowers and finished the card with this lovely white sticker sentiment.

Thanks for visiting and leaving such lovely comments.  I really do appreciate them all.

Wishing you a great start to this week.  

Pure Westies Waterfal Cards

Morning all, very wet here this morning.  It is raining just like it does in the wet season.  Great for the gardens.  What a good lead into my card today....rain.....waterfall. :-)

Yes, I am enjoying doing these waterfall kit cards up, this one is Pure Westies Good Friends.  They are so easy to put together once you have cut them out.  Even the cutting out is easy as they all have straight edges so all you need is a metal ruler and craft knife.  These waterfall kit cards come with two sizes of the same images.  This one here is the smaller version.   I have already done the larger version which I posted here.  I think I like this one better because of the background paper and layering. The paper I have had in my collection forever, so it is nice to finally find a perfect use for it.

Here is the card in action.  You pull the tab down to flip and reveal other cute images of a Westie.

Remember this style of card is just what we are looking for to join in: 

Unstampabelles Challenge #11- Moving Parts

You could either use a kit or follow a tutorial.  Here are two tutorials for you to look at.

Video Waterfall Card Tutorial

Photo Waterfall Card Tutorial

I would like to share this card at:

Make it Mondays #90 - Always Anything Goes

Just Keep on Crafting #2 - Anything Goes 

Penny's Paper #80 - Anything Goes

Sewing - Fabric Origami Bag Tutorial

Hi everyone, today I would like to share with you a link to Jill's blog Creating my way to Success.

Jill has taken the time to do up a wonderful photo tutorial for a Fabric Origami Bag here. 

I have noticed people visiting my blog viewing similar bags that I have done in the past.  These people were searching for a tutorial....so hopefully this post reaches them.

My bags are here, here, and here.  :-)

Have a great day.

Last Mother's Day Card

Going through my card photos I saw this card that I forgot to share with you.

I have used the lovely Clematis image from Beccy's Place.  Coloured it with my Copic Pens.  The sentiment is computer generated.  Paper not sure where that came from, I have a feeling it was Stacie.  The cardstock is Stampin Up Pink Pirouette.

That was a quick post.  Have a wonderful day everyone.

Doodle Calendar - May

Please click photo to see larger image.

Morning all.  It is a wet and windy day here today.  So not much outdoor activity will just have to find something inside the how to do.

For my post today I am relying heavily on the saying 'Better late than never'.  I have had my May Doodle Calendar made up since the beginning of May and even have my daily doodles up to date.  The hold back for this post was that I had not had a chance until yesterday to colour the April Daily Doodles in.  I did much better in April keeping track of what I did each day.  I only have a couple of days that I have no idea so have either written the name of the day or doodled a random picture.

I must be doing something right with this doodling as my hubby has actually looked at this and asked what I was doing.  Also my daughter happily showed it off to her friend yesterday.  Oh and a critique from my daughter, 'Mum you actually have some good drawings in here'.  :-)

I have linked this to The Kathryn Wheel Blog where this fun idea originated.

I am off now to get ideas of what to do for next month from the shared links.  So many talented people out there.

Please click photo to see larger image.

Just have to share

I spied this post when googling about book art and fell in love with all the wonderful ideas on 

this wonderful blog called Ashbee Designs.  So now am a follower.

I visited yesterday to take a closer look at Marji's post about Wood that Works Photography.

Only to discover that her husband (David) is also super creative.

He makes the most amazing wood sculptures and they live up to the business name.

Wood that Works.

I have been thinking about them all day and just have to share the link.

Be sure to visit his blog and watch the videos of his wood work in action.

So wish I had an extra $1000 laying around as I would certainly purchase one of his amazing creations.

Have a great weekend. It's a wet one here.

Feels a little like Christmas

Yes, another card for my Christmas collection.  If I keep this up at least one time this year I should feel organised. :-)  Shame I have to wait till Christmas for this to happen.

I started with Red Linen Textured card for the base.  Next I added silver Jac paper.  Then white cardstock which I ran through my brand new embossing folder Framed Oval.  I added silver holly stickers to the top corners and a silver Merry Christmas sentiment.  I used my Spellbinder Deckled Edged Oval dies to cut the background for the paper tole.

Finally I added the 3D paper tole....lots of hand cutting on this one and I definitely needed my glasses.

Before putting the layers together I went around the edge of all the pieces with an embossing tool just to give the flowers and leaves some shape.  Then used silicone glue to adhere the layers together.

Well that is me for this week.  Wishing you all a terrific weekend and I hope to spend some of my time catching up on all your fantastic blogs.  Nothing extraordinary planned here.  Cleaning, tidying, crafting, shopping, and lazing. 

Simple Mother's Day

The last of my Mother's Day cards this year. 

I so love this flower image from Cardmadfairy, if you look through my blog you will see I have used it a number of times.  I have coloured it with my Copic Pens and cut around it with a Spellbinder Die.  I cut around some of the petals so they would remain outside the die shape.  The sentiment is computer generated.  Paper is from Bazzill - Worth Remembering.  Base card is Stampin Up Concord Crush.

I haven't done this in a while but do visit regularly.

I would like to enter this card into

Cardmadfairy's Digi Days Challenge #33 - Clean and Simple.

Mother's Day Card

I know late, however, I have a couple more Mother's Day cards to show you.

I love how striking this one turned out.

I have used Black Felt card for the base card.  I then layered up some Bazzill DSP - Worth Remembering. Next I coloured this wonderful Gumnut image by Mandy over at Blue Edge Crafts.

Mandy has plans in the traps to create more images and make these available however at this stage she is looking for one magic ingredient.......TIME.  If you find it can you please forward it on to her and a tad to me.  :-)  Anyways, I coloured the image in with my Copic pens.  Tried a bit of feathering when colouring the flowers.  The sentiment is computer generated and finished with some bling.

When I was checking out to see what the temperature had dropped to last night here in Gordonvale I discovered this weather site for Cairns which has a webcam.  So thought I would share our wonderful weather with you.

Cairns Weather.  

At 9PM last night we were down to 17C and I think we may have gotten to 15C which is chilly for us.

Woohoo! I was one of the lucky winners in the April Giveaway over at Link Up for Pink.
I won some wonderful Breast Cancer digi images from Limited Runs Digital.


Thought I would share what happened on our crafty morning when playing with Big Shot, Cuttlebug and Grand Calibur.  This all came about as one of our friends was looking into buying an embossing and die cutting machine.  However, had not actually seen one in action just seen the end results.


We had such a fun morning with six crafty ladies and three fun machines. The lady buying the new machine opted for the Big Shot as it has a larger plate than the cuttlebug and you can use clear plates on it compared to the Grand Calibur.  However, I think the biggest selling point was that she can order that with Stampin Up at the mo as part of a Starter Pack which is at a reduced rate and customisable. Everyone loved the Grand Calibur for it's size and we all got to see a M-bossabilities for the first time, thanks to my friend Gloria. The only draw back a couple of us saw with the Calibur is that it doesn't have the clear plates so you can see if your die has slipped or not. The Cuttlebug, just as much fun but would be great to have the bigger plate area.  Although it is such a great compact size for storage.

Happy Birthday Ruth

I so love the internet when you are in need of a quick card.  Yes, I googled and discovered this layout with a Stampin Up set that I have.   I found this layout by Sarah Klass.  I have changed the colours to a combo that I had both cardstock and inks.

Started with SU Kiwi Kiss then a layer of SU Pretty in Pink which I have used the same colour inkspot and stamped with the flower from the SU Good Friend set.  Next came a layer of SU Marina Mist, Very Vanilla.  More stamped flowers for the same stamp set.  This is where I think a Stamp-a-ma-jig would come in handy.  Lining up those circles is hard work (don't look too close).

So Happy Birthday to Ruth.....who just happens to be my Stampin Up supplier so I thought the card was appropriate.

Not the greatest photo but I wanted to share the thoughtful gift that my son gave me for Mother's Day.  I have been using an older style desk lamp.  This is a wonderful daylight/natural light LED lamp.  I can see that this will get many hours of use.  I love how it goes right across my work.

Wishing you all a terrific Tuesday.

Dee's Dazzle Deco Waterfall card

Hi everyone, welcome to a new week.  Today, I am sharing this wonderful Waterfall card that I made.  I so love the colours.  I started with some Lavender Pink Textured Linen card stock.  Next a layer of this beautiful lace patterned paper.  I am sure I received this from my Secret Santa.  Then I added a piece of Aqua Textured Linen card stock.

The Waterfall part of the card I cut out from Dee's Dazzle Deco Waterfall Card sheet and assembled.  I attached the waterfall part of the card with Rhinestone Brads.  Added 2mm Satin Ribbon for the pull.

Here is the Waterfall section of the card in action.

This style of card is perfect for our current Unstampabelles challenge #11.

Moving Parts with No Stamps.

I would like to share this over at:

Make it Monday #89 - Always Anything Goes

Inspire Me Fridays #58 - Always Anything Goes

Simply Create Too #13 - Mother's Day or Feminine 

Happy Mother's Day

Hi everyone, just wanted to wish all the Mum's a special day.

Thought I would share the cards I sent to the two Mum's in my life.

The first card I sent off to my Mum.  Normally, Mum is just down the road but at this moment my parents are visiting my sister.  Mum is always here for me and is a wonderful inspiration in my crafting.  Mum loves Fuchsias so decided to use this wonderful Digi Stamp from Ruth over at A Passion For Stamps.  I coloured the image with my Copic Pens. The card started with Stampin Up Concord Crush then a layer of Bazzill Design Paper - Jay Bird Street.   I ran a couple strips of cardstock through my Victoria embossing folder.  The butterfly border was created with one of my new Edgeabilities.  The sentiment is computer generated. 

This card I sent off to my caring Mother in Law.  We don't see each other often, once every couple of years but Facebook has a wonderful way of keeping people close.

I started with some Yellow Textured cardstock.  The design paper is from Bazzill - Jay Bird Street. 

The wonderful border I created with the Mix and Match Edgeabilities.  Yes, I now have 'Inserts' and 'Edges'.  If you are planning on buying these be sure to read what is actually in the packet and don't get caught like me with just the 'Inserts' because they look so pretty.  You need the packets with 'Edges' too.  Some packets come with both.  This wonderful Digi Stamp was drawn by the talented Mandy over at Blue Edge Crafts.  One day when she has a little more time I know she has plans to share some of her images.  I coloured this Pansy image with my Copic Pens.  The sentiment is computer generated.

Happy Mother's Day.

Flashback Friday 23.0 First Butterfly on Card

This month the challenge over at Flashback Friday 23.0 is to find your first card you posted with a butterfly.  I knew I would not have to search to hard for this card.  I started my blog 18th November 2008 and I posted this card 27th November 2008 (Original Post Here).  I love to use butterflies on my cards.  This I think was the first time I had used vellum on a card as it was for a Craftmad card swap and vellum was the theme.  The butterflies are from a Stampin Up set called 'Priceless' and I still use that set today as it is so pretty.

Flashback Friday runs through to Friday, May 18th @ 11:59 pm pacific daylight!

Can you believe it is Friday already.  My week has just flown by.  The Biggest Morning tea was a success yesterday raising $780.00 although the turnout was a lot quieter than in past years.  I sold nine cards, so am happy.  I am really looking forward to this morning as a friend is interested in buying a Die Cutter and Embosser.  So I have invited some other crafters over so that she can compare machines and check out what we have.  There will be six of us with three machines.  My Cuttlebug, a Big Shot and a Grand Calibur.

Have a great weekend everyone and I will catch up with you on Monday.

Quick Mother's Day Cards

Hi everyone, a quick post just like these quick cards.  I am selling my cards at my friends Biggest Morning Tea this morning.  I will be donating monies from my sales like have done for the last two or three years.  Such a great morning. 

If you would like to come here are all the details:

Australia's Biggest Morning Tea!!!! 10.30am Thursday 10th May St. Johns Lot 3 Highleigh Road, Gordonvale. Come n join us. Everyone welcome. Eat some yummies, buy some raffle tickets n raise lots of money for the Qld cancer council :)

As Mother's Day is this Sunday I thought it would be appropriate to have a couple of cards available.  So yesterday I made six cards up.  These were my last two just to so there were more options.  This is something I love about Stampin Up.  I just grabbed out my Subtles colour range for Stampin Up.  So Saffron was there with some matching patterned paper.  Also found some SU Very Vanilla which I ran through my Swiss Dots embossing folder through the Cuttlebug.  Added the white crossgrain ribbon and printed out the sentiments.

All done.  Now have to add inserts, envelopes and put them in plastic bags.  Have a great day all.

Cairns, Sydney, Newcastle and Snake photos

I should be back on track today.  Last Saturday we flew down to Sydney (3 hours south) then on a train to Medowie (3 hours north) NSW.  Visited my hubbies family who we haven't seen in three years.  It was a flying visit as we left here in the wee hours of the morning and back here Monday night.  Lucky it was a long weekend here so no one missed school or work.  We all agree that we like the warmth of North Queensland and even the slowness.

******** Please click on the photo for a larger look.

Leaving Cairns and looking back at the airport.

Flying over the Hawksbury area (just north of Sydney) About half way in the photo you can see the train track across the water that we later use to get to Newcastle.

North Sydney

Sydney Harbour

Sydney Harbour Bridge and on the right Sydney Opera House

Heading South of Sydney....see Sydney Tower

We climbed the tower near the Brewery on Newcastle foreshore to see this view of Nobby's Head

Same tower looking North Newcastle

I just loved this church/cathedral.

Same tower looking out to Stockton

Not my favourite part of the visit but my BIL breeds snakes here is one of the many.  He has a wonderful set up.

Another on the move

Back home....sunset as we fly into Cairns.

Wishing you all a wonderful day and I will have a card to share with you tomorrow.

Unstampabelles #11 - Moving Parts

I decided to have a go at a Paper Doll or Doll Art for this challenge at Unstampabelles.

I can't wait to have more time to play as this is such a fun way to use up paper scraps.

I cut the face from a magazine, the hat is a sticker, I embossed the silver skirt and drew on her shoes.

Challenge #11 - Moving Parts 

you will receive a bonus entry if your creation includes a split bin/brad.

Any form of paper creation will be accepted as long as NO STAMPS (Digital or Rubber) have been used (this includes sentiments).

So many IDEAS: Suspension Card, Wiper Card, Waterfall Card, Spinner Card, Shaker Card, Easel Card, Slider Card, Pop-Up Card, Swing Card, Peek-a-Boo Card.  A lot of these techniques can be used on your Scrapbook pages which we would so love to see.

  

You can find our rules here for further information.

Our Sponsor this month is an Australian Craft Forum called Craftmad.

A little bit of Christmas

Morning everyone.  Time to add to my Christmas card collection. 

I started with the Embossed Rectangle card from Blue Edge Crafts.  Added Stampin Up Red Riding Hood which has been embossed in my Victoria folder.  Made up the 3D Paper Tole which I sat and hand cut and layered up with silicone glue.  Finished with stickers from the Sticker Store.

Have a great day everyone.

Twisted Swan Pyramid Card - Thank You

Well my Monday sure disappeared on me.  I did start typing this post out yesterday morning but never got to finish it.  So I will start again now a little earlier.  I started this card with Stampin Up (SU) Garden Green then a layer of SU Ballet Blue which I have run through my 'Branches' embossing folder.  On the side I added two strips of SU Night of Navy which I have sprayed with my gold Smooch.  I so love this spray. :-)  Added a gold 'Thank You' sticker sentiment from the Sticker Store.  Also three green flowers, the centre felt flowers are also from Stampin Up.  The twisted Swan Pyramid topper is from Blue Edge Crafts (sorry no longer in stock) which I cut out and layered up using silicone glue.  Isn't it a beautiful scene.

The layers

I wonder what today will bring?  Skies are cloudy but not raining so maybe some gardening activity.

Wishing you all a terrific Tuesday.