Sympathy Card

Hi everyone, I really love this card I am sharing with you today.  Shame it is for such a sad occasion.  My pen pal from school, father passed away just recently.

I have used Stampin Up card and a Stampin Up stamp set called Organic Grace.  I so love the way the flowers came out.  I printed the greeting off the computer and added the crossgrain white ribbon bow.

Short and sweet today as I am busy getting my day and stash organised for a cardmaking weekend with two of my friends.  Yes, we are taking ourselves off this afternoon to a place called Kurrimine Beach with no kids or hubbies.  We will be cardmaking all weekend which some of my other friends thought was odd and sounded like work.  I reminded them how much I enjoy playing with paper and they thought fair enough.

So have a great weekend everyone and see you Monday.

Breast Cancer Bags

This month for our sewing swap over at Craftmad we are making Breast Cancer Bags to be donated to Breast Cancer Clinics in hospitals around Australia.

The reason for these bags are that currently patients who have had a mastectomy and are sent home with drains in situ. Usually they are discharged with two drainage bottles in a hospital pillow slip. So this would make life more pleasant for the ladies by having these bags to carry the drainage bottles in. They are often in use for 2 - 3 months, and as there is about 3 of these operations per week.

The pattern we have used came from the Online Quilt Magazine which you can subscribe to for free and receive the pattern to help out too.  Or email me.

I am hoping that these bags are not too bright and standoutish.  When I was cutting the first bag out I realised that I had enough to material left to cut another two bags...so three all up.  These two bags I have completed and the spotted flowers just called out for a little more.  So on one bag I have added sequins and beads to the spotty flowers.  The other bag I added white, and two shades of red french knots.  Very relaxing doing all this beading etc.  Now my daughter (14yo) was asking what I was doing and has taken the third bag to decorate up herself as she thought it was such a good idea.  But I am afraid that the social life of a teenager has gotten in the way and it's not quite finished.  Hopefully on the weekend she will find the time.

A card for Elise

Hi everyone, this card I have created for Elise.....a lady I do not know but is need of a few smiles.  Cheryl over at My Cardmaking Haven has a post telling us how Elise has just been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I can only imagine the impact on her life and her families.  So if the least I can do is send a card to help her through.... I there.

To create this card I have used this beautiful flower image from Cardmadfairy's Creations.  I used my water colour pencils added some pearly bling for the centres.  The background paper is from a magazine giveaway.  I have rounded the corners on the background paper instead of the card which I think is very effective.  A tip I learnt from Denise over at Stamping Vacation.

I then added this beautiful lace from Scrap Therapy, a white ribbon and a Breast Cancer Awareness ribbon that had been punched out for me.  I used a metallic alphabet rub-on to spell out the word 'Smile' which is what I hope the card will give Elise when she receives it.

Craftmad October Card Swap

Good morning everyone on this lovely sunny Tuesday.  Today I have the card I made for the Craftmad October Card Swap.   We had to create one card using Pinks and/or Purples to send to our partner.  Along with the card we had to send all the elements that went to make up this card.  So in November our partner creates a card using the same materials and returns to their partner.  I can't wait to see the different versions that are created.

I dug through my Stampin up design papers and card to create this card.  Sort of cheating as I know using Stampin Up everything will match.  I have used cream paper flowers with retro flowers I punched from design papers.  Two layers of ribbon across the centre.  A wonderful white greeting sticker from Sticker Store.  I also created this charm using a tip that I spied somewhere in blog land.  I have always had troubles attaching charms.  The tip is to add extra links and also a clasp at the end to attach it to your creation.  The clasp is hidden behind the bow in this photo.  I figure then the recipient can then use the charm in other ways.

This photos shows the bits and pieces that I have sent to my partner so she can come up with another creation.

Thanks Sew Much

Morning everyone, the sun is shining today and everything is so beautiful and green since all our rain in the past week.  A terrific start to the week.

Today I have card that I have made for the Weekly Inspiration Challenge over at Craftmad.  This week we are to draw our inspiration from the Sewing Room.  Sew.. :-) I dug out my Stamping Dragon Design digital images and coloured them in for this card.  I used my watercolour pencils, aquabrush and metallic pens. Then did some faux stitching around the edge of each image.  Found some lovely scrap paper that reminded me of fabrics.  Printed out the words Thanks and Much and punched them out with my Stampin Up oval punch. I attached them with 3D foam. Lastly, I printed out the word 'Sew' and with a needle made holes along the outline of the letters then sewed with my pink embroidery thread.

Now this next photo was on my camera and I just have to share as it is very Halloweeny (my word) to me.  I tell my daughter constantly not to play with her food.  Last night she was helping me cook tea a zucchini pasta dish and this is what happened to the zucchini while she was waiting to cook it.

Have a good day!!

I will also this card into the following challenges

Stamp Something - October Digi Day!!!! ~CHALLENGE~ use a Digi - ends 28th October

Meljens Designs - Challenge #30 - Anything Goes! ends 27th October

Flashback Friday 4.0

A blog I follow created by Linby (Craft Linby) has been posting about this challenge and I thought it would be fun to enter.  It is called Flashback Friday and the idea of the challenge is to go in search through your blog posts to find a creation that suits the challenge.  So yes, you and everyone gets to revisit old creations.  This challenge asks for your first ever Christmas card that you blogged about.  Well I had these three cards in my original post which you can find here back at 20th November, 2008.  Actually, seeing these cards again inspires me to dig out my holly embossing folder for another play.

Yes, there are prize up for grabs on this challenge too.  I think it runs an entire month. One thing you must remember though you can't link to your original post you must repost your creations.

DT Card - Sticky Situation Challenge - Stamping Vacation

I have joined a new challenge over at Stamping Vacation called Sticky Situation....yes it's all about using stickers, so right up my alley.  This months theme is to use a Pumpkin Sticker.  Now this was tricky for me as I live in Australia, I just don't do Halloween or Thanksgiving.  So pumpkin stickers is not something I have.  Luckily, we went to visit a friend who is also cardmaker over the school holidays and she has a stash of Halloween stuff as she has grandkids living in America.  She kindly let me have this wonderful pumpkin sticker.

A nice easy card.  I started with a white BE card then a layers of textured card from my DCWV Adhesive mat stack - Neutrals.  I dug out a 'Happy Halloween' stamp that I have won in a blog candy at one stage (pretty sure it was from Angie).   I stamped the words all over the green card to create the background I needed.  Finished with a yellow ribbon.

Now I am sure that you have a better collection of PUMPKIN stickers out there so I would love to visit and see your creations.  Just pop over to Stamping Vacation and share your creation.  Then you will go into the monthly draw.  This months prize, drawn at the end of October is 4 Digi Images from Stamping Dragon Designs and a $15.00 gift certificate from Papertry Ink.

DT Card -Fountain of Youth Challenge (Kite Flying) - Stamping Vacation

Morning everyone, this was a fun challenge.  This card is for the Fountain of Youth Challenge over at Stamping Vacation.  Denise, has us remembering kite flying during our younger years and has asked for a creation that includes a kite.  I didn't have any kite stamps so headed off to Google.  I found some wonderful kite instructions which I resized and printed out on blue card to create the background for my card.  Next I cut out the kite shape from my scrap papers added a tail of kitchen string and scrap bits of ribbon knotted at end.  Once again used the computer to print out my greeting which I have attached with 3D foam.

Now it is your turn......I would love to see what creations you can come up with.  Be sure to enter them over at Stamping Vacation as I will come and visit you all.  As if that is not enough...a visit from me......lol..... there is a monthly prize on offer.   

Yes, the prize for October which is drawn at the end of the month is 4 Digi Images from Stamping Dragon Designs and a $15.00 gift certificate from Papertry Ink.    You can enter as many times as you like and once at Stamping Vacation you may just find another challenge that suits you or the card.  As Denise has a challenge for every day of the month.  Yes, you can enter every challenge if you like.

50 again and another Joy Fold Card

I think 50 is the 'in' age as this is the third 50th card I have made in about four months. :-)  I think I can be patient and wait though before I reach that number.

Yes, I think this may be the end of my Joy Fold card series for a couple of days. 

This card is all about the paper which sadly is the last of my stash of this Heather Bailey design paper.  I have used it down to the last little piece as it is so pretty. The topper on the card I printed out a '50' on my computer and added lots of bling and these lovely silver corner stickers from Sticker Store.

This card my daughter created for one of her friends 14th birthday.  She has used the fun 'Dudley with a balloon' image that I acquired as a freebie from Pollycraft.  Sorry he is not a freebie anymore but they still have a couple of digi's on offer.

My daughter coloured him in with watercolour pencils and finished with touches of Kindy Glitz which in this photo are not dry yet.  She has also raided my stickers and bling. :-)

Happy Birthday - Purple Glitter Cat

I made this card for my SIL who's birthday was on the weekend, she loves purple and cats.  Yes, I am having a phase of Joy Fold cards at the moment.  These so much fun and a great way to use a whole heap of patterned paper.  The paper I have used this time is from Kaiser Craft - Be Mine - Besotted.  Also some bazzill card.  The left purple panel I have run through my 'Happy Birthday' embossing folder.  The inside purple panel I used one of my daughters old stamp pens.  The paw print was perfect.  This wonderful cat image (freebie) I found over at Dawn's blog ages ago and finally found the right card for it.  I have coloured it with my Aquamarkers and added some Kindy Glitz.  I pinpricked around the edge of the topper and joined it with black lines for faux stitching.  Cut a circle of black card and wrapped it in black thread which I thread through the last two holes.  So now the cat has a ball of wool to play with. I would like to enter this card into the following challenges.

Paper Cutz- Anything Goes Paper Cutz Challenge # 63 Grand prize end October closes 21st October

Craftalicious Challenges Challenge No. 10 - Anything Goes ends 24th October

Week #41 - More than one fold - more than one fold ends 21st October

Just Inspirational Challenges Challenge 16 - Anything goes ends 21st October

Crafty Cardmakers - Use a Freebie - Challenge 32 - Use a Freebie! ends 1st Nov

(Cat image is from the generous Dawn at Lost in Scrap Papers)

Thanks for the tip Allison.....I would also like to enter this card into the Little Paper Shop Challenge - Glitter/Stickles  - Monday’s Challenge, a Preview and a BLOG HOP ends 25th October

Happy Birthday - Tree, Dog and Cat

Here is a card I made for my friends son who turned '9' last Wednesday.  My friend was telling me how her son was saying he really liked my cards.....I thought she was being very polite. :-)  When I gave her son the card and pressie it was the card that was opened first and he just loved it.  He thought it was very funny and went back to looking at it after he had opened his present.  Yes, I am still smiling. What better praise is there than a nine year old boy admiring your card. :-)

I started with a white BE card and then layered it with Stampin Up Taken with Teal.  Found this wonderful paper in my stash that has come from a magazine at some stage. Printed out the greeting on the computer and used my new punches from Stamping Up - oval and scalloped edged oval.  Finished with some brown crossgrain ribbon.  The image is so much fun....that cat is such a tease.  It is from Michelle's Scrapbooking & More and is a Pixie Cottage image called 'Neh Neh Neh'.  Very apt name.

I am sharing this over at Craftmad for our Weekly Inspiration challenge - TREE's

The No No Challenge at Stamping Vacation - No images starting with 'S'

(Remember this months prize is 4 Digital Images from Stamping Dragon Designs and a $15 voucher from Papertry Ink.

Joy Fold Card, Totally Tote Bag, Aussie Tilda and Kookaburra

Good morning everyone, I have a few photos to share with you today.  Firstly, the wonderful JOY Fold card that I really enJOYed making for my friend Joy's birthday.  I have used lots of Stampin Up Design papers - sorry don't know the names.  Also embossed with my Victoria embossing folder and the inside with my 'With Love' border embossing folder.  The image is from CardMadfairy's Creations.....and was so much fun to colour with my Promarkers.  Add the finishing touch of bling across the petals of the flower.

I wasn't too imaginative with my friends present this year and ended up with Scratchies and Chocolates but who doesn't like a chocolate.

So I needed something special to hide the Scratchies in so I remembered the Totally Tote Bag that Huggies Crafts had shared with in her album over at Craftmad....so much better than my attempt be sure to check it out.

Anyways, it is a pattern from Splitcoast Stampers and I tried to make it match the card.  Really not bad for the 45mins I had to create it in.  I will definitely be trying this again.

Now this card has jet setted it's way from Nilla's lovely blog - Live it - Scrap it to my craft room.  Nilla posted this lovely card of Aussie Tilda and I commented something about that she should visit me.  Well it has happened.  How lucky am I plus I received to more Tilda's to colour myself.

This lovely kookaburra greeted me and my dog this morning.  I just had to share photos of him.  He was only 3 metres away from me and sat there while Scruff the dog investigated where all the cane toads were hiding behind our fridge.  Also allowed me time to go back in the house and find my camera.  About ten minutes later observant Scruff realised he was there and went a little closer to investigate but the Kookaburra did not hang around.

Have a great Friday and a good weekend....seee you all Monday.

Card for Cathy

The lovely Cathy over at Cathy's Creative Corner had a birthday recently.  Here is the card that I had fun making for her.  I added lots of bling as I know she enjoys glitter and sparkles when making her cards. I used a white BE card then a layer of SU Bordering Blue which I ran through the Victoria embossing folder.  Added a strip of  SU Perfect Plum also run through an embossing folder - Swiss Dots.  Printed out the '50' on my computer and added lots of bling.  Layered it up with matching SU Ballet Blue.  I also punched out some medium sized retro flowers form the SU Ballet Blue and topped them with these lovely purple paper roses that someone was nice enough to send to me.  Finished with this beautiful lace I found at Scrap Therapy.

Lots of Pink Easel Card.....Dani's Swing

Now that I have all the male cards out of my system for just a little while.....I know I have one more to make.  I have gone very girly today.   This easel card is for my nieces birthday at the end of this month.  I just had to use the lovely Sparkle and Sprinkle image - Dani's Swing again. I have used my watercolour pencils and Promarkers to colour her in.  Cut her our with my spellbinders.  I can't think what they call the technique but I have cut around the flower so that it appears outside of the spellbinder circle. I have added 3D foam behind the flower so that it does pop out.  I added some lovely pink flower buttons to the top of her swing.  Dug into my stash and found these wonderful papers that have come free from a magazine at some stage.  A strip of Bazzill Bling which I topped with some bling. The greeting is a lovely huge silver 'Happy Birthday' sticker from Sticker Store.  The inside of the easel card, I used more strips of Bazzill Bling and some paper flowers with bling centres.

Middle of the week.....hope it's a good day for you.

Another Male Card - Happy Birthday

Three male cards in a row...... such a novelty as they are really not my strong point at all.  This card, however, was a must as it was for my little baby brother's birthday last Sunday. What a date that was as he was born '77 and turned 33 on 10.10.10 aren't they great numbers. :-)

I did go in search for a funny digital image to do a card for him but just not find one that suited.  So spied this layout in my search and thought I would just keep it simple or 'boring' as my daughter says. lol  So started with the normal white BE card blank and then found this wonderful paper collection. Sorry can't remember the name but I do remember that it was my first ever blog candy I won which was from Cardmaking Galore.  So used three different pieces for the front then printed out my brother's initial and layered it up in matching paper.  Finished with the 'happy birthday' rub-on. 

Wishing you all a terrific Tuesday.

Primary Colours

I just had to show you one of the images I purchased using a certificate I won from Denise over at Stamping Vacation when we did the blog hop.  Yes, the Dream Team had a little challenge too in the background and I was lucky enough to win a $25.00 gift certificate to Michelle's Scrapbooking and More.

I opted for some Digital Images to save on the hassles of posting to Australia.  So I now have 8 new Pixie Cottage Digital Stamps in my collection. :-)  Today I have used Mike on Trike by Artish. Isn't he cute.

To start this card I have used the sketch from this months Sketch Therapy challenge at Stamping Vacation.

The colours were decided by the Weekly Inspiration Challenge over at Craftmad which is to use Primary Colours (Red, Blue and Yellow).

I started with a white BE card then started digging through my stash.  The blue background paper I have had for ages and no idea where it has come from.  I used my Herringbone embossing folder on the red card. Cut a yellow circle with my Spellbinder.  Next coloured this fun image with my watercolour pencils and aquabrush.  Finished with a rub on and a bow of string.

Be sure to follow me over and enter into some of the Stamping Vacation challenges.  Remember there is a different one set for each day of the month.  You can enter as many challenges as many times as you like.  All your entries go into the running for the monthly prize. 

This time I will get the prize right......I have only been telling you half of the prize. Oops!!!

This months prize is 4 Digital Images from Stamping Dragon Designs and a $15.00 gift certificate to Papertry Ink.

Transport, Ribbon and Layers

Hi a bit late with my post today.  I had this card already to go this morning but of course the battery in my camera had run out of charge.  This meant I had no time to photograph before leaving this morning.

I am really happy with card as it has caught me up with so many things.  Firstly, I had fallen behind in the Weekly Inspiration Challenges over at Craftmad.   This is really sad as I am the one that sets them.  lol  So I have caught up on the Transport, Use a Ribbon and something starting with 'L' ... Layers Challenges.  I have also been wanting to use this love sailing boat Digi Image that I won from Ruth over at Passion for Stamps.   So much fun.  My daughter coloured one up for her Father's Day card.

I am also entering this card into the Southern Girls challenge #3 which asks that you use three or more layers of patterned paper.  This I have done and is probably two more than I normally use. :-)  But really love the results.  The bottom paper is from a DCWV Adhesive Paper Prints Pad, the side patterned paper came free with a magazine and the patterned paper behind the sailing boat my Mum made using marbling inks.  I coloured the image with my watercolour pencils and finished the topper with these lovely transparent glitter corner stickers from Sticker Store.

Oh an there was one more thing this card did.....I used the October Card Sketch from over at Craftmad.

I wish you all a wonderful weekend.  I don't think I will get to post at the weekend but I do hope to catch up on everyone's blogs.....I have not been able to see some of your creations this week as I have just been too busy.

Happy Birthday - Flower Swing

Hi everyone, I have a card here that I made for my cousin's birthday yesterday.  I just hope it was not too girly for her.  I just had to use my new stamp it is so pretty.  It is a Sparkle and Sprinkle  - Dani's Swing.  So I inked her up with my brown Staz-on ink and then coloured her in with my water colour pencils and aquabrush.  Layered the image up on the pink and green card.  The lovely flower background paper is from a pack called Something Special...such pretty papers.  I made up a hat pin using beads I found in my stash and the lovely white organza ribbon.  Punched out the layered ovals and added the white Happy Birthday greeting sticker.  Finished with three paper flowers with orange circles punch for the centres.

Take care and have a great Thursday.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges.

Stamp Something - Celebrate ends 8th October

Crafty Calendar Challenge - 1st Birthday Challenge ends 4th November

Paper Sundaes - Something from your Stash #38 ends 7th October

(the paper has been in my stash a little, really everything is from my stash)

Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Saturdays - Anything Goes ends 8th October

My Inspiration - Christmas Cards for the Aussie Troops

Morning everyone, these cards are all my Mum's creations.  Yes, she has been my inspiration for crafting for a very very long time. :-)

Mum decided to create and collect a few of her left over cards to send off to the Aussie Troops serving overseas so they can send them home at Xmas.  Go here for more details.

The thing I admire most about Mum's creations is the fact she recycles so much.  All of her cards are created using items that you receive free with crafting magazines, or shapes punched from magazines.  Mum always puts a little picture on the back of her cards too....I never think to do this.  Oh, and the insides all have a little computer printed verse.  The rear of the cards are either stickers or pictures cut from magazines or catalogues.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.......my plan is to do a bit if creating today.  I have been so busy booking a holiday in this last week I haven't been near the craft desk at all. :-0  Withdrawals big time.

Build a Sketch Challenge - Design Team Card

Morning everyone,  I was so ultra busy yesterday.  Last day of school holidays and madly rushing around with other errands I didn't get a chance to post.

However, I am back today with my Design Team card for the Build a Sketch Challenge over at Stamping Vacation.  This is such a fun challenge where you can design you own sketches.  This month Denise has introduced us to piece number #15.  So, there are #15 different shapes that are listed and each month Denise gives us five of those pieces to use.  This month we can use pieces numbered 1, 2, 11, 12, and the new piece 15. 

My first photo shows you the sketch I came up with using those pieces and the second picture the card I came up with using that sketch.  So be sure to share your creation over at Stamping Vacation as I so would love to see it and you will go into the monthly draw for a $15.00 voucher to Stamping Dragon Designs.

For my card I started with a blank white pre-scored card.  I then have used Delish Design Paper - Mulberry Season.  Run some card through the Swiss Dots embossing folder.  The topper is more of the Delish Design Paper and lovely silver ribbon.  I also stamped these tree using SU Crazy for Christmas stamp.  Highlighted the trees with leftover pieces of red stickers.

Pick Three Challenge - Design Team Card

Hi everyone, looks like a wet weekend for us.  Just have to find something inside to do, maybe near the crafting desk. :-)

Today I have my Stamping Vacation Design Team card to share with you.  This is for a very fun challenge called Pick Three.  Denise gives us a list of 10 or so items to use on a card and we can pick three.  Can't wait to see your creation.  All entries go into the monthly draw to win a $15.00 gift certificate from Stamping Dragon Designs

The list: - any embossing powder, Anything with a sunflower, Cherry paper, mini bag or envelope, anything calico, something scary, black ribbon, torn edge, any diecut.

I used: Anything Calico, Torn Edge, Any Diecut

I had another reason for creating this card too. This is my second card for the September Card Swap over at Craftmad...the theme was acetate.  So I have started with an acetate base.  Then I have coloured this fantastic image from Stamping Dragon called Twenties Fashion.  I have used my watercolour pencils and aquabrush.  The hem lines I have paper pieced a nice piece of slightly patterned cream paper.  Then used gold metallic pen for the bracelets and ring.  Now putting together an acetate card.   I start with the smaller layer first which is the lady in this case and attach her to the card.  Then I go to the inside of the card and attach my double sided tape over the double sided tape on the rear of the lady.  Now I attached the larger backing layer to the inside of the card being careful to line everything up.  This way I know that the double sided tape is hidden at any view.  Next I cut three scalloped edged circles using my Spellbinders.  Then I tore strips of calico approx 25cm x 2cm, twisted them and then coiled them to create the flower.  I added lots of double sided tape to the rear of the flower coil to make sure they would stay together.  The calico flowers are added first to the card and then the die cut circles are added to the inside of the card to cover the back of the flower.  You can't see in the picture but I have added more card to the back section of the card where a greeting can be written.  This all lines up with the front layers of card so it doesn't distract from the front image.

Lots of Paper Challenge - More Than One Leaf

Morning everyone!  Well we survived Thursday with no power and two teenagers on school holidays. lol  The power was off at 8.15am and back on about 1.45pm.  Easy solved though, teenage son goes off bike (bmx) riding with his mates.  Teenage daughter and I did a painting project then visited my parents. Who happen to be looking after my young nieces (6yo and 4yo) and little nephew (11months).  So it was great to catch up with them.....also played on Mum's and Dad's Wii.  Yes, my arm is sore today.

Today I have a Design Team card for the Lots of Paper Challenge over at Stamping Vacation.   For the challenge this month Denise has asked us to use paper with more than one leaf.  The best thing about this challenge is that I am sifting through all my papers finding the right piece.  Along the way find lots of papers I have forgotten I own.   I would so love to see your take on this challenge.

I finally found this lovely piece of Anna Griffin paper which has a variety of leaves.  The next challenge was trying not to cover all the leaves.  I have used these lovely transparent glitter butterfly stickers from Sticker Store.  I have attached them to SU Orchid Opulence and cut them out.  Added a strip of lace and some cram pearl bling.  Used the SU tag punch and added a gold Thank You sticker.

Happy Friday everyone.