My Paper Playground

Myths and Legends...

2012-01-28T10:03:00.004+11:00

This week at the Glitter Geek Challenge Blog, our challenge is MYTHS AND LEGENDS ... we challenge you to create something along our Myths and Legends theme...and there sure is a lot of inspiration! We are sponsored this week by The Cutting Cafe...

Ingredients: White cardbase; Green Decorative papers; Promarkers; Stardust Glitter Pens; Metallic Pens, Decorative Chalks; Green Rhinestones, Gold Peel Offs...

This week I chose a Dustin Pike image of a Sir Knight and his Steed. Too cute! I coloured the bear and horse with a promarker and water pen, with the rest coloured with glitter pens. I used metallic pens for his armour. I also added a snippet of a curly gold peel off to his shield.

I chalked in a background scene, hopefully resembling the ground, bushes and sky with clouds. I trimmed and mounted the image layer on three layers of green. Then all fixed to the cardbase, and some rhinestones to the corners to finish. Oh and there is a wee champagne coloured rhinestone at the steed's bit.

I hope you'll visit us at Glitter Geeks to see our Design Team's inspiration pieces, and then join us in our Myths and Legends challenge.... Thanks for peepin'!

(It's official.... any post that I save as a draft, screws up. Thank you blogger. It adds line breaks, shrinks the text, and won't allow me to move graphics. SO much for an easy interface!)

Friendship Cheer!

2012-01-27T14:12:00.002+11:00

This week at Card Crafter's Circle, our challenge for you is to create with a FRIENDSHIP theme...something to cheer up a friend! We are sponsored by HappiLeigh Scrappin and our winner will receive the selection of images that our Design Team has created with...

Ingredients: White Cardstock; Clear and Pink Stardust Glitter Pens; Pink and Green Glaze Pens; Decorating Chalks; Pink Stitch On Rhinestones...

I really loved the colour scheme of the precoloured image here. Actually, I had such a hard time choosing which image to use.... they are all so fabulous! Anyhow, I thought it nice to share a cuppa with a friend. I printed the pre-coloured image twice, and fussy cut one, using only the rose-heads, and cups between. I added green glaze pen to the leaves so they shine. I added pink glitter pen o the roses, and smudged it gently with my finger, to think it our, and appear more like natural shading. (yeah, I know that roses don't grow with glitter, but on my happy days they should!) I added clear glaze to the wee roses on the cups. With the background image layer, I created a chalked background, using pinks and blues. I edged the cut image in black, and attached it with foam tape. I then stitched the pink rhinestones around the edge of the image layer. I was going to add a coloured layer, but seeing image atop the white cardbase, I thought it needed nothing more. So fixed to the cardbase it was, and my card complete.

I know my dear Nan (12 months departed) would love this card, as our cuppas from our family fine-bone china was something special that we shared for nearly 40 years. Even if I was only drinking millk from them as a child. I am so honoured to have those cups in my care!

I hope you will join us at Card Crafter's Circle and share your FRIENDSHIP creations with us! Thanks for peepin'!

Down on the Farm...

2012-01-25T22:14:00.005+11:00

This week at For Fun Challenges, we are down on the farm (one of my favourite James Blundell songs).... with a FARM ANIMAL themed challenge for you.

Our sponsor is the super fabulous Bugaboo Stamps... and they have the most fabulous farm critters! It's always a pleasure to create with these images! I am not ashamed to say that I love cows. Always have. I just had to create with the Bobble Head Cow image!

Ingredients: White Cardstock; Sanded Core-dinations card; Promarker Aqua (Sienna); Copic Ciao Marker; Stardust Glitter Pens; Black Glaze Pen; Pearls; Sticker Sentiment...

I printed the image twice. I coloured parts of the image with a promarker (the brown) and glitter pen for the grass, metallic for the bell, and black glaze for the hooves. Her nose was coloured with a copic ciao marker. I fussy cut her cowlick hair, nose, tail end and front hooves, and fixed them to the image base with foam tape. The browm matt layer is sanded Core-dinations card (love that stuff!) the same was also used for the sentiment, one piece sanded, the other was left neat. All stuck together for a sweet birthday card .... gee I hope I know someone who loves cows too!

Entered into these challenges: The Squirrel and The Fox - #9 Critters
Birthday Sundaes - #40 Birthday (30/1) Stamp N Doodle - Include an Animal (31/1)

We have some fabulous creations from our design team this week.... guaranteed to make you feel like you're on the farm. I hope you'll stop by to the For Fun Challenge blog to grab some inspiration and join in our Farm Animal challenge! Thanks for peepin'!

Get Well Piggie

2012-01-23T08:44:00.000+11:00

Hi! Just wanting to share with you a new creation... a Get Well Card. This is a new image Piggy Nurse from Dearie Dolls. I urge you to check out the shop there... awesome images! I fell in love with this image when I saw it.... and it's bound to put a smile on any sickie's face and some warmth in their heart!

Ingredients: White cardbase; Red card; Red Striped Paper; Copic Markers; Glitter Pens; Metallic Pens...

I wanted the image to 'be' the card, so it's 'bellie' free ... except for pork belly! (groan... did I really say that?) Piggie is pinked with copics and her uniform is accented with glitter pens. The uniform was left uncoloured. I used green glitter pen for her clipboard, to accentuate the greeting. Her stethoscope is coloured with two silver metallic pens.

This card is entered into these challenges
The Squirrel & The Fox - #9 Critters (29/1)
Dream Valley Challenges - #24 Animals (5/2)

Thanks for peepin'!

Two Images at Glitter Geeks!

2012-01-21T18:26:00.006+11:00

This week at the Glitter Geek Challenge Blog, our challenge is TWO IMAGES ... we challenge you to create something that uses two images... not including your backing papers of course, but two images... what can you come up with?

We are sponsored by the The Digi Garden, who offers our winner a prize of digi images!

Ingredients: White cardbase;Blue metallic card; Decorative papers; Stardust Glitter Pens; Decorative Chalks; Red Rhinestones...

I used two StretchNBubbles images "You Lift Me Up 2" and "Cloud" ...

The sentiment is actually part of the polaroid image, actually sitting in the white area between the black frames. I removed the text from that position, and added it to the cloud ... I had the idea of having the cloud raised up with foam tape in that position, and I wanted to retain the sentiment for the card.

I coloured the kite with glitter pens, left the clouds neat, and coloured the sky with chalk. I trimmed and mounted the kite image on blue metallic card, trimmed the individual cloud and matted that on the same card, and trimmed it out as well. After adding layers of blue metallic card and striped paper to the cardbase, I added the images... the cloud is lifted with foam tape. More rhinestones dress the corners and finished the card.

I hope you'll visit us at Glitter Geeks to see our Design Team's inspiration pieces, and then join us in our Two Images challenge.... Thanks for peepin'!

Blogger is officially peeving me no end.... I can't my default font the right size, it changes colours, it rotates my images, it is being a right royal pain the in the blog!

Bear with us at Card Crafter's Circle #6

2012-01-20T09:00:00.003+11:00

This week at Card Crafter's Circle, our challenge for you is to create with a BEAR theme... We are sponsored by Pink Gem Designs and our winner will receive their selection of 4 images.

Ingredients: White Cardbase; Blue Cardstock; Stardust Glitter Pens; Sienna Promarker; Glaze Pens; Cream Pearls; Ice Blue Rhinestones...

I worked with a sponsor's coloured image this week. I loved the shading the image already had, and they were details I wouldn't be able to replicate (Shading on the babysuit, shadows on the stars). I over coloured the moon with yellow glitter pen, and the stars with Pale Blue glaze pen. The stars on the babe's suit are also yellow glitter pen. I added more colour to the Bear, using a Sienna Promarker and water pen. After trimming to size, and matting on blue cardstock, I added pen detail around the white layer. I then added rhinestones to it, also adding a rhinestone at the babe's hat, and then cream pearls at his wee backside. I fixed all to the white cardbase. My intention is to use it as a gift card, rather than a greeting card (as I often do with square cards).

I hope you will join us at Card Crafter's Circle and share your BEAR creations with us! Thanks for peepin'!

DYSU #55 Patterned Papers

2012-01-20T07:30:00.005+11:00

This inspiration picture reminds me of those wonderful black and white square tiled kitchen floors! This pattern on the floor, though, would have my head swimming! This week at Do You Stack Up! the theme is PATTERNED PAPER. Bring out those papers!

I love papers.... can't help myself ... if I see papers, I want them. And my personal philosophy is that decorated papers are like fabrics.... they come in and out of fashion, so aren't available forever. So my habit is to buy it when I see it, because I don't know when/if I will have the oppoertunity to purchase it again. That WAS my justification, but prior to joining in the Use It Up 2012, where we pledge to use our own stash, I promised myself that I wouldn't buy any new papers until at least July! But I'm allowed to replace necessities, like adhesive and things that I have depleted in my stash.... (phew!)

This week, the sponsors joining us at DYSU are My Little Shoebox and Copic Marker Scrapbooking, offering some fabulous prizes!

Ingredients: White Cardbase; Decorative Papers; Stardust Glitter Pens; Metallic Signo pens; Glaze Pens; Decorative Chalks; Brads...

I printed the Copic Marker Scrapbooking image over a sentiment that I printed in MS Word. I coloured the owl with a variety of metallic pens, using a waterpen to blend some areas, but wanting to keep the colour 'textured' to represent feathers. I used orange glaze pen above his beak. Black glaze pen was used in the centre of his eye, and is surrounded with black glitter pen. After trimming the layer to the required size, I chalked the edges, and blended towards the centre of the card layer.

Taking two co-ordinating papers, I created two matt layers to back the image. I then used a matching border from the same paper set to create a horizontal strip beneath the sentiment, and a wee strip for the top right corner. I added brads to the border accents and corner, and fixed it all to the white cardbase.

I hope you'll come join us in the PATTERNED PAPER challenge in DYSU Challenge #54... Thanks for peepin'!

Get Well, Fell Better!

2012-01-18T18:46:00.000+11:00

This week at For Fun Challenges, we have a GET WELL / FEEL BETTER themed challenge for you. I love to create cards for this reason, but I don't get to make to many Get Well cards .... although I make a lot of Feel Better cards regularly, or cheery cards as I'm told they are!

Our sponsor is the super fabulous Dearie Dolls Digital Stamps... and I know that every time I visit the Dearie Dolls shop, I smile! They are an awesome collection of images! It is definitely a pleasure to create with these images!

I fell in love with this image... simply named SMILE ... it reminds me of all the times that I've taken my fingers to someone's face and made them smile! I'm sure it would create a smile for someone else when they open the envelope!

Ingredients: White, Cardstock; Patterned papers; Stardust Glitter Pens; Promarkers; Pigment Inks; Rhinestones...

I coloured the image with markers for the faces and hair, and glitter pens for the clothes. I couldn't decide what colour to use for the girl's dress, so I left it neat - I thought yellow smiley faces on a white dress would be nice and bright!

I edged the image layer with a variety of pigment inks, to introduce more colours, but only little bits... I'm happy with this 'rainbow' effect, and will use it again, I know! I used layers of blue and yellow papers to mat the image and added it to a white card base. Unfortunately some light globes blew in my kitchen, and I didn't have enough replacements .... so the lighting isn't fab on the picture. In actual fact it is quite a crisp white card.

We have some awesome creations from our design team this week.... guaranteed to make you feel better! I hope you'll stop by to the For Fun Challenge blog to grab some inspiration and join in our Get Well, Feel Better challenge! Thanks for peepin'!

Awareness and Causes Challenge at Glitter Geeks

2012-01-15T09:27:00.001+11:00

This week at the Glitter Geek Challenge Blog, our it is all about AWARENESS AND CAUSES ... we challenge you to create something that promotes awareness for a cause.... it might be a charity, or an illness or disability, or for any cause that you want to bring awareness to! What can you come up with?

We are sponsored by the fabulous Bugaboo Stamps, who offers our winner a prize of 7 images ... winner's choice! (Bugaboo has an awesome selection of images perfect for promoting awareness and causes!) I chose to use our sponsor's image "Ribbon Bear" and my chosen cause was Autism Awareness...

Ingredients: White square cardbase; coloured card; decorative papers; Promarkers; Glitter Pens; Water Pen; Black Signo pen; Pink Pearls

I coloured the bear with a promarker and a waterpen... thinning the ink in places, and leaving it dark in other. His nose is coloured with black glitter pen. I coloured the ribbon with glitter pens in various colours, and smudged the colours together with my waterpen. I fussy cut the image, and edged him in black ink. With the awareness ribbon for Autusim being a jigsaw puzzle of rainbow colours, I made a background that reflected many colours as well... so I created a'quilt' of coloured triangles.

I'd like to share with you a link to a page at Disabled World that offers a list of causes, with awareness ribbon colours. I am sure that there are many more causes that could be listed, but it is an informative site, with links to many other reference sites. This link at Fire Mountain Gems has a very detailed list of causes/illnesses matched with their awareness ribbon colours...

I hope you'll join us in our challenge at Glitter Geeks this week and join in our Awareness and Causes challenge.... Thanks for peepin'!

DYSU #54 Pink

2012-01-15T08:24:00.001+11:00

I'd love to know who has this bus in their back yard. If I had one, it wouldn't be stacked to the windows with stuff, I would deck it out as a fabulous crafting creative space, complete with coffee lounge and telly. Jump on the Big Pink Bus, and join us on a Do You Stack Up! trip.... This week, the theme is PINK!

Personally, I'm not a pink girl. I don't wear it, I don't have it in my house by choice. But I love creating with it for others, go figure!

I so wish I could take advantage of so many offers that don't ship outside the continental US, or that are more accessible to us elsewhere. It seems there are so many things that we miss out on here in Australia, because our retailers just don't stock them (for whatever reason).

This week, our sponsor is Stephanie Barnard, and her fabulous designs of The Stamps of Life. I love watching her youtube tutorials.... stop on over at her site and have a look!

Ingredients: Pink Pearl Cardbase; Papers - Pink matt, Pink Paisley embossed; Pink Pearls; Clear Star Stardust Pen; Pink Matt Signo pen; Pink Glitter Pen...

I created a simple card this week, but I added a 3D topper/focal image. The images are from a couple of Scrapbooking Mad sets. Printed a couple of times, I fussy cut and assembled the image with layers fixed with DS tape, and with foam tape for extra lift. I accented various parts of the image with Clear Star Stardust glitter pen... it gives such a fab finish! The flower was printed in colour, but I coloured the flower with Pink Glitter pen, Matt Pink, and a metallic dark pink.

The top layer of paper you can see, is gloss embossed with a fabulous paisley pattern. I also took an embossing board and stylus that I received with a UK magazine, ad embossed 'sherriff' stars in the corners before finishing with pink pearls...

I hope you'll come join us in the PINK in DYSU Challenge #54... Thanks for peepin'!

A Rosy Christmas!

2012-01-12T10:29:00.002+11:00

I hope everyone is rejuventated after our 2 week long challenge at For Fun Challenges! It seemed like much longer than 2 weeks!

Our Design Team at For Fun has a real variety of creations to share... hop on over to the blog and see! We have an ANYTHING GOES CHALLENGE this week.... I used it to make a start on my Christmas cards for 2012 ...hang on, didn't we just celebrate Christmas?

Ingredients: Pearly Cream Cardstock; Decorative Papers; White Pearl Beads Lace/Ribbon scrap....

The image I have used is a photo-printed vintage image. I cropped it and matted it on plain red paper. It then had more strength to withstand me sewing each pearl on individually. I then matted it onto a layer of damask patterned red paper. The band of ribbon is actually the centre strip of a wide vintage lace.... I cut the scalloped outer thirds off, for another project and had this left over... more of the red patterned paper behind it gives it just enough lift to hold it's own, I think. I like the contrast of red and white, so I didn't add anything more.

I am entering this creation into these challenges:
Christmas Card Challenges - #6 Lace (14/1)
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas - #54 Recycle Something (13/1) Recycled the Lace...

I hope you'll join us at For Fun Challenges for our new ANYTHING GOES challenge! Thanks for peepin'!

I'm a Glitter Geek!

2012-01-11T16:14:00.000+11:00

If you haven't noticed it already, I like to use glitter... glitter pens, and shiny shiny bling. Now it's official, I am a Glitter Geek! Well, part of the Glitter Geek Challenge Blog Design Team! Yay! But what a dreadful start to it all... after a number of difficult days (which I won't go into!) my post is so late, I am almost meeting myself coming round the corner!

There is still time to join in this week's challenge, so here all that you need to know! The theme is HAND IN HAND ... we challenge you to create something that goes Hand in Hand, things that go together.... Peaches and Cream. Diamonds and Pearls. Wine and Roses. Fish and Chips! What can you come up with?

We are sponsored by Bees Knees Crafty Creations. Helen is offering our winner a prize of £15 worth of Stampin' Up! goodies!

With my brain rattling around like an old W Class tram, I picked a pair. I mean a pear. I mean a pair of pears...well, pairs go together, don't they? Pairs of Pears?

Ingredients: White cardbase; decorative papers (yellow, green); Glitter pens; Water Pen; Apricot Pearls...

This is a Clean And Simple card, purely because I think the image and matching sentiment need nothing more. I used a light green for the leaves, and a golden yellow for Ms Pear. For Mr Pear, I coloured him initially with the same yellow, then smooshed a wash of green over parts of him. Although the colours look fab here, the glittery sheen sadly doesn't show...

I hope you'll join us in our challenge at Glitter Geeks this week.... Thanks for peepin'!

(And what is up with Blogger!!!! It rotates all my images 90 degrees right when I upload. I have to go back and rotate my images 90 degrees left so they display upright! Blogger, if you're listening, your new interface is revolting, now get your act together!!!)

DYSU #53 Let It Snow!

2012-01-06T16:06:00.001+11:00

Just to add a little more colour in my life, I've rejoined the team at Do You Stack Up! There are new faces, old friends, and a whole heap of inspiration and motivation!

This week, the theme is Let It Snow.

Really odd for me, since we don't see snow very often in my part of the country, and we never see it at Christmas, except in shop windows!

Anyway, we have a three fabulous sponsors....

We have:

Meljen's prize: 4 digis, winner's choice!

Robyn's Fetish prize: 4 digis, winner's choice!

Crafter's Companion prize: The Boxer and Envelobox Creator Bundle, with Advanced Techniques DVD!

This week, I created with the MelJen's Summertime Reindeer image, which is perfect for me, since my Christmas is mid-summer!

Ingredients: Teal Pearl Cardbase; Decorative Papers; Promarkers; Water Pen; Stardust Glitter Pens; Black Glaze Pen; Ice Stickles; Cream Pearls...

I coloured the image, with markers and water pen, for variety of colour, glitter pens for for his shorts and board, and glaze pen on his nose and sunnies. I trimmed out the image completely. I took a decorative paper and re-coloured the trees with markers, and Ice Stickles to the green trees. I fixed that to a layer of corrugated paper, and a layer of teal. I then added the image on top, and fixed all to the pearly cardbase. I added some cream pearls to the corners to finish.

I hope you'll come join us in the snow in DYSU Challenge #53...

Thanks for peepin'!

Makin' It Colourful at Card Crafter's Circle

2012-01-06T15:23:00.001+11:00

We had 91 entries last challenge... awesome! Our challenge for you this week is really easy... this week we want you to

MAKE IT COLOURFUL!

We are excited to have a repeat sponsor (already!) the uber-fabulous... Bugaboo Stamps! Our randomly drawn challenge winner will receive their choice of 7 Bugaboo images... what an awesome prize!

Have you had a chance to see the latest Bugaboo releases? There aren't enough hours in the day to create with them all! Our Design Team has created some fabulous colour-filled creations to share with you, and to inspire you! Have a look!

Ingredients: Mint Pearl Cardbase; White Cardstock; Co-ordinating Decorative papers; Scalloped diecut trim; Stardust Glitter Pens; Decorative Chalks; Pink Pearls; Rhinestones (various colours)...
This week, I created with one of Bugaboo's Jacobean Birds..... wonderful! I coloured the image background with chalks, and then the image itself with glitter pens. I trimmed it to size.

I took the cardbase and trimmed the front of it - just enough to allow the scalloped diecut trim to show, as I wanted to place it inside the card. After fixing the trim, I added clear rhinestones to it. I matted the image with pink, and patterned green and pink layers, then fixed them to the front of the card (allowing enough green space around it as if it were centred). To finish, I added pearls to the image corners, and coloured rhinestones as dictated by spots on the image itself.

This card is entered in the challenge at Charisma Cardz #52 Over the Rainbow... (12/1)

I hope you will join us at Card Crafter's Circle and Make It Colourful with us! Thanks for peepin'!

Reminder Post - Something New at For Fun Challenges

2012-01-04T18:23:00.001+11:00

This challenge posted last week is actually running for 2 WEEKS, so today I'm posting a half-way reminder post...

The current challenge at For Fun Challenges is sponsored by Bugaboo Stamps... and our challenge for you is to create and commemorate something NEW ... it could be the New Year, a new baby, a new house... Our Design Team at For Fun has a wonderful variety of creations to share... hop on over and see! I created a New Baby card, using a delightful image from our sponsor.

Ingredients: White, Sky Blue(s) Cardstock; Stardust Glitter Pens; Le Plume marker; White Gel Pen; Rhinestones; Gelly Lace Border; Lingerie Bow....

I love the fun bold figures of the AKV (A Kid's View) range at Bugaboo. I coloured the image mostly with a glitter pens, using a Le Plume marker for the babe's face, and white gel pen for the clouds. I trimmed it, and matted it on a layer of pearly blue cardstock, then fixed it directly to a Sky Blue cardbase (it looks more of a pale teal to me...) I then added a piece of Gelly Lace - it's a sticker, but made of a soft gel, about as soft as a peel-off sentiment.... very delicate! It has a wonderfully smooth texture. Finally, I added a wee bow, a lingerie bow (or as I used to call as a kid, "Knicker Bows"), and some blue rhinestones to the corners, for sparkle sparkle!

I'm created this card with my niece in mind....she is due to give birth to her second child any time now... and you guessed it, HE will be my first great-nephew! We're all so excited... all the fellas in the family want him name after them, and most of the gals are using their name in the 'masculine' so he will be named after them! I wouldn't be surprised if he is named something like Fred, or George!

I hope you'll join us at For Fun Challenges for our new NEW Challenge! Thanks for peepin'!

So Long, SNB, We'll Miss You!

2012-01-01T12:07:00.000+11:00

Wow... I can't believe that SNB is closing it's digi doors.... the day is finally here... so you've a few hours to spoil yourself with a fabulous purchase of all the SNB images...

The Stretch'N'Bubbles blog will remain, with all our Design Team creations for you... just in case you need some inspiration with your new 564 images!

Alison, the owner/designer of Stretch'N'Bubbles, is embarking on a new adventure trail, into photopolymer stamps.... wow.... that's got to be exciting!

Along with a new adventure, comes new designs, and a new name... The Alley Way Stamps! If you pop over to the new blog, you'll see a few sneaky previews of some of the new sets, and you can get the party started with a chance to win a freebie!

So I decided that I should make a final SNB creation to post before the shop shuts... i thought it fitting to make a card to say that we'll miss SNB, and we'll miss Alison's designs (even though they'll keep coming under The Alley Way Stamps!). I chose the image Owl Tree.

Ingredients: Red, White Cardstock; Decorative Papers; Stardust Glitter Pens; Marvy Le Plume Markers; Rhinestones (Round Purple, Clear Hearts); White Pearls; Gold Organza Ribbon...

I sized the image and digi-wrote a sentiment.... then printed. After colouring with markers, and glitter pens, I mounted it to a layer of purple, and then fixed a faux bow. I fixed this to a layer of green (with wee white dotties!) and then laid it to rest on a deep red cardbase. I then added some purple rhinestones to the corners, and some wee white pearls to the owl's eyes (only because I ran out of black!). Still not satisfied, I took clear rhinestone hearts and filled the tree.

Although it is essentially a 'goodbye' card as it's the end of SNB, I still feel that it's a cheery message because Alison is stepping into something that is super-exciting, and still very creative! And because it is quite simple, and lighthearted with the bright colours on white background...

I have also entered this creation into the following challenges:
Aud Sentiment Challenges - #44 Anything Goes (3/1)
Delicious Doodles - Anything Goes (4/1)
Do You Stack Up - #52 Rainbow of Colours (4/1)
If the Shoe Fits - #98 Use Your Stash (12/1)

Thanks for peepin'!

Anything Goes at Card Crafter's Circle!

2011-12-30T11:50:00.001+11:00

How long does your Christmas creativity last after Christmas? I have a few days of quiet, then a second wind kicks in, putting me into an automatic Christmas mode for the next year. It lasts for a week or so, then come August, I think "Crikey, where has the last 8 months gone? I promised myself I'd be Christmas ready this year..." ... a promise I've made so often!

This week at Card Crafter's Circle, since we're probably giving a creativity a wee rest, our theme is Anything Goes... you can show us any creation you decide to make! We're sponsored by Daisy Doodles, and our challenge winner will receive their choice of 3 Daisy Doodles images!

We have such a variety of creations to share with you this week.... do visit our Card Crafter's Circle to see what the rest of the table created for you! I used the Floral Frames Set...

Ingredients: Green Pearl, White Cardstock; Stardust Glitter Pens; Chalks; Rhinestones (various colours and sizes); Sentiment stickers; foam tape...

First I created a 5 1/2 inch square card, on pearly green cardstock. I printed the floral image large than planned, so I went 'square' with the card, and treated the image as a wreath. I trimmed the image completely, leaving the inner core for the sentiment. I coloured the image with glitter pens, and left the daisies 'neat' so they appear brighter white. I liked the contrasting look of the image on plain cardstock, so I left it as such.... just mounting it with foam tape to lift it. I coloured the core of the image with green chalk, to make it a little more subtle.

The three smaller gift cards, are all single layer cards... all printed on white, with the card being folded of that layer. I simply coloured the images with glitter pens, and added rhinestones as the flower centres. Very simple, and I think very cheery with the bright colours on white backgrounds!

I have also entered this creation into the following challenges:
Sarah Hurley Challenges - #56 Colouring (1/1)
Aud Sentiment Challenges - #44 Anything Goes (3/1)
Little Miss Muffet - #25 Anything Goes (4/1)
Do You Stack Up - #52 Rainbow of Colours (4/1)
Crafty Creations - #146 Gratitude (5/1)

I do hope you'll find time to share any creation with us this week at Card Crafter's Circle! Thanks for peepin'!

New Year Freebie for you at DMW!

2011-12-29T06:42:00.000+11:00

We've a fabulous New Year image at Digi My World.... and it's a freebie for you....

Happy New Year!

It's available here as a Digi Stamp...

and here as a cutting file...

Swing on by Digi My World and see all the new images.... they are awesome, and with sale prices! Enjoy!

Something NEW at For Fun Challenges...

2011-12-28T17:00:00.003+11:00

I hope everyone is still enjoying a season of celebrations... my Christmas here has been snowless, full of humid rainstorms, cold winds, and sprinkled with the over-indulgence of good food! Roll on 2012 and new diet plans...

This week at For Fun Challenges, our sponsor is Bugaboo Stamps... and our challenge for you is to create and commemorate something NEW ... it could be the New Year, a new baby, a new house... Our Design Team at For Fun has a wonderful variety of creations to share... hop on over and see! I created a New Baby card, using a delightful image from our sponsor.

Ingredients: White, Sky Blue(s) Cardstock; Stardust Glitter Pens; Le Plume marker; White Gel Pen; Rhinestones; Gelly Lace Border; Lingerie Bow....

I love the fun bold figures of the AKV (A Kid's View) range at Bugaboo. I coloured the image mostly with a glitter pens, using a Le Plume marker for the babe's face, and white gel pen for the clouds. I trimmed it, and matted it on a layer of pearly blue cardstock, then fixed it directly to a Sky Blue cardbase (it looks more of a pale teal to me...) I then added a piece of Gelly Lace - it's a sticker, but made of a soft gel, about as soft as a peel-off sentiment.... very delicate! It has a wonderfully smooth texture. Finally, I added a wee bow, a lingerie bow (or as I used to call as a kid, "Knicker Bows"), and some blue rhinestones to the corners, for sparkle sparkle!

I'm also entering this card creation in the challenges at:
Anything Goes - Blue and One Colour (11/1)
Crafty Boots - Celebrations (10/1)

I hope you'll join us at For Fun Challenges for our new NEW Challenge! Thanks for peepin'!

Something Sweet...

2011-12-27T10:20:00.001+11:00

I normally stay in a Christmas frame of mind for a week or more after Christmas and New Year, making a head start for the next one (then leave the creations untouched for 6-7 months! ha ha). but today I want share something out of the seasonal vein ... I guess a little Spring-ish (although I'm in the grips of an Aussie summer).

Using StretchNBubble's Flower Friend image...

Ingredients: White, Pink Cardstock; Glitter Pens; Glaze Pens; Pink Organza Ribbon; Pearl Strip; Clear Rhinestones...

First up - my apologies for the colouring in the photo - our natural light today is quite yellow... yay unpredictable summer sun! I have coloured the image with a variety of glitter pens, and blended with a waterpen in some areas. The wee ladybug is coloured with glaze pens, so she has a sweet shiny wet look. After adding a pink matt, I wrapped a length of narrow pink organza ribbon, and fixed it at the back, then topped it with a strip of cream pearls. I finished by adding some rhinestones to the corners...

I have entered this card into challenges at
Sparkles Forum - Anything BUT a Christmas Card (12/1)
That Craft Place - #2 Sweet Treats in Pastels (3/1)
The Crafty Pad - Anything BUT Christmas (15/1)
Whoopsi Daisy - Sparkle and Shine (3/1)

As our Stretch'N'Bubbles Creator is stretching her wings out of the digi world, she is offering you all a fantastic sale purchase..... do visit the SNB shop in our last few days together and spoil yourself! Thanks for peepin'!

Christmas at Card Crafter's Circle!

2011-12-23T18:31:00.002+11:00

Most people have finished with Christmas cards by December 23.... but there is always room for one more, right? Or perhaps a head start for... dare I say it... Christmas 2012? This week at Card Crafter's Circle, since we're all in Christmas mode, our challenge is themed Christmas! We're sponsored by Dearie Dolls, and our challenge winner will receive their choice of 3 Dearie Doll images!

We had a ball creating with a selection of Christmas images! I couldn't resist this image... in poured fond memories of my 1994 Christmas in Canada, when I saw my first singing Christmas Tree ...

Ingredients: Green, Red Cardstock; Deco Papers, and matching die-cut sentiment; Stardust Glitter Pens; Promarkers; Red Rhinestones; White Lace...

I created an easel from a 6 inch square cardbase. I trimmed and matted decorative paper to fit, and fixed it to the inside of the card. I treated the die cut sentiment with lace, and fixed it in the centre. Along the fold on the card front, I added a run of lace

After colouring the image with Markers and Glitter pens, I double matted it, and fixed it to the front of the card. I finished off with a few rhinestones to the image layer, and the sentiment layer.

I do hope you'll find time to share a Christmas creation with us this week at Card Crafter's Circle! Thanks for peepin'!

I need a cup of tea...

2011-12-23T08:58:00.000+11:00

Sadly my post this week is overdue - 4 days overdue! We had flash flooding across our region on Sunday, and the inches of rain decided to come in out of the rain.... by overflowing our gutters and flooding through our windows and doors in the kitchen! Although there's no major damage, it was a horrid mess to clean up - although nothing compared to others who sustained damage.

So finally my creation is here, and quite fitting... I really need a good cuppa....

Ingredients: White cardstock; co-ordinating papers; Glaze Pens; Glitter Pens; Gold Sentiment Sticker...

Using Flourish Teapot I created a bright and bold birthday card, using the La-Di-Da papers from Kaisercraft (gorgeously bold and funky).

On a white cardbase I layered patterned paper, and striped flocked paper. I then layered a scalloped border on top.

I printed the image quite large, to fill the card, and wanting most of it white, I coloured only the lid, base, and flourished flowers. When it was dry, I trimmed it and fixed it to the card. It's a midi card.... either a small greeting card, or a large gift card.... it doesn't quite fit either category, but would work nicely with a gift basket, or just as an oversized gift card.

There is now a little over a week left of SNB images.... yes, sadly Stretch N Bubbles are closing the digi-doors, so that it's owner/designer can embark on a magical crafty adventure in another direction.... you can however avail yourself of an incredible sale, until the doors close, on December 31...

Thanks for peepin'!

#1 Challenge - Celebrations - Card Crafter's Circle

2011-12-16T09:00:00.002+11:00

Welcome to OUR FIRST CHALLENGE at the Card Crafter's Circle! We are thrilled that today has finally come around (we've been ready for some time now!)...

December is a time of many celebrations... seasonal, religious, cultural... there are so many things to celebrate! Then there are birthdays, weddings, anniversary, and births... even our FIRST CHALLENGE is reason to celebrate! Our challenge theme for you this week, is

CELEBRATIONS!

We are so excited to introduce our first sponsor.... Bugaboo Stamps! One of my all-time favourite designers. Our randomly drawn challenge winner will receive their choice of 7 Bugaboo images... what an awesome prize! And there's a 50% off sale at the moment... wow!

I created a stitched piece for this challenge... suitable for a wedding, or anniversary, but it would look great in the colours for Christmas Bells too!

Ingredients: White Smooth Cardstock; Cream an Pumpkin Textured Cardstock; Embroidery Threads; White Organza Ribbon; Gold Diamonte Buckle; Light Orange Rhinestones; Cream Pearls...

I printed the image as light as I could, and trimmed it to a workable size. I set to stitching... I used a double thread, to ensure that there would be no ink showing through, and I used a simple repeating stem stitch on all parts. I used cream thread for the bells, green for the leaves, and a varigated orange/yellow for the flowers. I added two rhinestones at the stamens, and larger pearls along the bell detail. I finished the card with a simple strip of wide organza ribbon (a sweet sparkly one!) threaded through a wee diamonte buckle....

I hope you visit us at Card Crafter's Circle, and take some inspiration from our creations... do join in our challenge this week, a CELEBRATION of our first challenge ever!

Thanks for peepin'!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

2011-12-15T09:29:00.001+11:00

I love Christmas... it's true meaning, and the seasonal festivities that we swim in the whole month of December. We must seem to be a little confused here in Australia, as we decorate with all the winter colours and themed decorations, but Christmas falls in our Summer! In my part of the country (south eastern-ish) It is either hot, or steamy-humid and stormy.... and we still love our traditional Christmas Roasted Dinner!

This week at For Fun Challenges, our sponsor is MelJens Designs... and our challenge for you is Christmas - Anything Goes ... it can be any Christmas project. Our Design Team at For Fun has a wonderful variety of creations to share... hop on over and see! I created a Gingerbread Ornament, using a delightful image from our sponsor.

Ingredients: Cardstock - white, browns; Stardust Glitter Pens; Aqua Promarker; Goggly Eyes; Ice Stickles....

I coloured the image with an Aqua Promarker (Sienna). I love the watercolour effect they give! In some sections I also used a waterpen to spread the ink. When dry, I trimmed it, and added the glitter pens to his scarf, buttons, and cheeks. I adhered him to a layer of brown cardstock, and trimmed, it, then adhered to another layer of darker brown and trimmed that as well. The same treatment was given to the holly and star.

The original digi image has a loopy string line stretching from one had to the other.... but as I wanted to create a hanging image, I used black tiger-tail to create the hanging loop. Finally, I added Ice Stickles to the icing trim at his hands and feet... for a festive sparkle sparkle!

I hope you'll join us at For Fun Challenges for our Christmas Challenge! Thanks for peepin'!

Really, a week!

2011-12-12T15:50:00.002+11:00

I can't believe it has been a week since I posted here... aside of having a bad cold myself, our whole house had it ... except our wee doggie. I'm sure Kleenex and Sorbent love us!

Today I share with you a pillow gift box.... I created it from a template (which was actually an old crushed pillow gift box!). Instead of using cardstock, I used the side of a thick and glossy preloved gift bag. It was easy to cut and fold, except for the rounded folds at the top and bottom! They always crease.

I wanted a fun and colourful topper or tag for it, so I used the SNB image "Herbert Gnome". Not a traditional Christmas image, but he looks great in red and green!

Ingredients: Preloved Gift bag; White cardstock; Glitter Pens - Red Green, Black; Shin coloured Le Plume Marker, Organza Ribbon; Organza Flower...

I coloured and trimmed the image, and readied it with DS tape, while I fiddled with the box. I measured a length of white organza ribbon, tied it around the box, and tied a bow in it. I added a red organza poinsettia to top the bow. When the inked image was completely dry, I peel the protective layer from the DS tape, and fixed the image across the ribbon securely - the ribbon will be able to be retied. Voila! A simple but cheery gift wrap for a wee pressie! Thanks for peepin'!

The Stockings Were Hung...

2011-12-06T09:14:00.001+11:00

Are we all in a yuletide feeling? Yes, still up to my elbows in Christmas cards, gift lists, last minute trips to the post office.... but isn't it fun!

This week I am sharing with you a fabulous SNB image ... The Stockings Were Hung ... you'll find it in the shop until the end of the month... sadly SNB digi doors are closing... but do go visit, because there is an absolute CRACKER of a sale happening! You won't believe your eyes!

Ingredients: Yellow Cardstock; Decorative Papers; Red Stardust Glitter Pen; Red Marker; Chalks - Gold and Yellow; Embroidery Threads in Yellow, Red and Green; Rhinestones - Red and Pea Green...

I have colored very little in this image... in fact, the only thing coloured with a pen was a few of the dots on the spotty stocking! Around the red rhinestones I stitched the entire image... it has a wonderful rustic quality, and the threaded needle called me to stitch it. I stitched it 'rustic' too... some areas will show the image behind, providing it with a little shadow, and definitely a hand stitched feel.

It looked great with a white background, but I wanted to liven the colours with the card and paper... so I filled the background of the image with a mix of yellow and gold matte chalks, leaving white 'halo' around the branch and text. (I think it meshed more with the cardstock this way!) Before fixing the image to layers of vintage-esque papers, I edged the image layer with red marker, again with an uneven rustic feel. Finally, I added Pea Green rhinestones to the corners. I guess I need to go hang my own Christmas Stocking!

I am entering this creation into these challenges:
Crafty Catz - Christmas (8/12)
Clearly iStamp - #41 Christmas (16/12)
One Stitch At A Time - Square (11/12)
Thanks for peepin'!

SNB Super-Colosal-Mega-Maxi-Digi-Sale!

2011-12-03T18:59:00.005+11:00

Now sing Supercalifragilisticexpialedocious! (and I know that I didn't spell it right!)

Stretch'N'Bubbles is about to embark on a new exciting adventure. But sadly, to do so, it must close it's digi-door! To say farewell, there is a sale until December 31st, when SNB digi stamps will be gone forever. Until December 31st, you can purchase all 564 digistamps for a mere US $32.50 .... which is less than 6 cents per image! This is crazy! That means you will receive EVERY SINGLE DIGITAL STAMP IN THE SNB SHOP!!! Don't miss out on this opportunity... you won't see them again....

On a personal note, I am sad to see SNB closing it's digi-doors. SNB was pretty much the first digistamps I'd ever seen. I managed to score a few freebies from around the traps, but SNB excited me. So I was thrilled when I applied for the DT Call, and was accepted....here is my submission from all that time ago December 12, 2009...

SNB was my first Design Team, and feels like family. In that time, Alison (SNB's owner/designer) has worked like crazy with designs for SNB, and gone through incredible personal hardships and crises... and she's pulled through stronger than ever. This new venture is a huge step forward, and I applaud her for that. You Rock, Alison! I wish you every success with your new venture!

So yeah, do yourself a favour and click on the big pic above, or head on over to SNB to for the Digi Deal!

Black and White, Baby!

2011-11-30T18:40:00.002+11:00

This week our challenge at Wicked Wednesday ATCs is BLACK AND WHITE! I love creating in minimal colours.

Ingredients: Black, White Cardstock; DS Paper; Black Stardust Glitter Pen; Ice Stickles; Black Pearls...

Talk about a minimal ingredient list! I printed the image, trimmed it, and matted it on black gloss. I added black glitter pen to part of the image. I set to create the patterned layer - since I couldn't decide which side of the paper to use, I used both. I cut squares, and fixed them together in alternating patterns (dots and flower doodles). I fixed it directly to the black gloss base, and then added the image layer on top. I popped wee black pearls in the corners, but it still missed something.... so I set to adding Ice Stickles! The digi image is "Ribbon" from SansDesign.

There is oodles of time to join us in our Black and White Challenge at Wicked Wednesday ATCs... we'd love to see your creations... Thanks for peepin'!

MPS Christmas

2011-11-30T17:00:00.052+11:00

We love the 5th Wednesday of the month at For Fun Challenges, because it's our Christmas challenge, and sponsosored by the uber-inspirational Michelle Perkett! This week our challenge winner receives the 4 images we have created with!

I used the Poinsettia Fairy .... I think she is delightful!

Ingredients: Red, White Cardstock; Stardust Glitter Pens; Marvy LePlume Marker; Printed Grosgrain Ribbon; Red Rhinestones; Ice Stickles...

I left her dress neat, so to appear crisp and white. I coloured the poinsettias and hair with glitter pens, and her skin with marker. Ice Stickles trim her hem, neck, hand-warmer, and her wings. She set aside to dry, while I trimmed red and white matt layers, and added the ribbon to fit the cardbase. As the holly looked stark on the ribbon (printed white) I coloured the leaves, and added rhinestones for the holly berries. I fixed together all the layers, and finished by adding red thinestones to the corners, and to the poinsettia centres on her wings and dress.... sparkle, sparkle!

This creation is also entered in the following fantastic challenges:
One Stitch At A Time #90 Seeing Red Scrap-Creations - Christmas
Kaboodle Doodles #95 Bundle Up For Winter Ooh La La! #94 Lots of Sparkle (12/12)

Do join us in our Christmas Challenge at For Fun Challenges this week.... we will look forward to seeing your creations! And thanks for peepin'!

Seems a Little Sketchy - Sketch #1

2011-11-29T10:54:00.005+11:00

Welcome to Seems a Little Sketchy! We are a sketch challenge blog, with sketches designed by our fabulous owner, Jenn Jackson! Our sketch challenges are fortnightly (that's every two weeks), leaving you plenty of time to create!

We are so proud to have Bugaboo Stamps as our first sponsor. They offer our winner a super prize of 7 Bugaboo images - winners choice!

Now on to our first sketch!

We would love you to visit Seems a Little Sketchy to view our Design Team's creativity! I hope we can inspire you to create with our sketch, and join in our challenge. We would love to see your creations!

Please use this sketch to inspire your creation - you can turn it or stretch it, as long as we can see this sketch in your creation!

*****

From our fab sponsor Bugaboo Stamps, I used the Winter Circle Sentiments - Merry Christmas image.

Ingredients: White Cardbase; Plain and Decorative Papers; Stardust Glitter Pens; Paper Flowers; White Picot Ribbon; Gold Edged Red Ribbon; Adhesive Pearls...

Using Stardust Glitter Pens to colour, gives a wonderfully gentle sparkle and sheen to the image. I layered the coloured image twice, and layered the decorated papers once. In following the sketch design, I layered white picot ribbon and red (gold edge) ribbon before fixing the layers to the cardbase. The spotty paper is flocked, and feels wonderful. I fixed layered flowers, and added red pearls as final finishes.

Thanks for peepin'!

Give Thanks....

2011-11-28T13:17:00.001+11:00

Today I share a creation while I'm feeling pretty miserable with the flu. Not only that, but my daughter has it (and she needs full time care without being ill), and husband has it too. At least we are a family that shares, right?

I don't know why, but I tend to get pretty sentimental/ heartfelt when I'm ill... probably because I'm feeling so miserable, I'm trying to cheer myself up. So as well as being my weekly creation for StretchNBubbles, it is also entered into other challenges, and I'm going to describe why it fits each challenge ....yes, I waffle on when I am ill too.... quite ironic really, since I've lost my voice!

Ingredients: Green/Gold Metallic Card; Purple vintage Core'dinations Cardstock; Give Thanks digi image (SNB); Stardust Glitter Pens; Spotted ribbon; Ice Blue Rhinestones; Black Pearl Brads; Paper flowers...

I printed the image on white, and trimmed it to size. I coloured the turkey with stardust pens, and fixed it to the purple layer (which I had sandpapered) then wrapped the spotty ribbon around it (I had tied a knot in the ribbon). I fixed it to the gorgeous square cardbase of olive green metallic card, and it has a gold shimmer to it - reminding me of shot taffeta fabric....perfect for Christmas cards too! I filled the blank space with layered purple and green paper flowers, topped with ice blue rhinestones. Oh and his eyes are wee black pearl brads. So tiny!

I created this card with these challenges in mind:
Just Some Lines - Tic Tac Toe
Kraftin' Kimmie #106 - Giving Thanks
Order of the Opus Gluei #118 - Thanks for Being You
Totally Gorjuss #108 - Sparkle
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #117 - Bird
The Squirrel & The Fox - Photo Inspiration - Jacaranda Tree (7/12)
The Hybrid Chick Card Caravan #7 - Make It Sparkle (10/12)

For Just Some Lines - I used the centre row - a digi, ribbon, and brads.
The Squirrel & The Fox - colour inspiration from that gorgeous Jacaranda Tree!
Order of the Opus Gluei - I like being just a little different, as do some of my friends - so in being a 'You', I've coloured the Turkey in Peacock colours... (I'm a bit of a turkey sometimes too).

Thanks for peepin'!

2011-11-24T17:04:00.002+11:00

I am starting a new challenge blog for 2012 .... okay we have a challenges starting in December, because a couple of sponsors just couldn't wait! I love their enthusiasm!!!) I would love for you to visit my challenge blog, named Card Crafter's Circle...

I have the beginnings of an enthusiastic team who will be with me sharing weekly sponsored challenges, project tutorials, and brag days (where you can share something that your uber-proud of!)...

As we've some places in the team we want to fill, we are having a design team call... click here for the design team call out!

I am so very thrilled about the blog's graphics - they have been personally designed by a dear friend and sponsor, Mary Ellen, of Dearie Dolls Digi Stamps ... I think they are just gorgeous, and so very personalised. Mary Ellen really captured the essence of what I wanted this blog to be ... all about friends crafting together! Thank you so very much!

Do come visit us, and try out for the team at Card Crafter's Circle!

Talkin' Turkey!

2011-11-21T10:05:00.003+11:00

Here in Australia, we don't celebrate the US Thanksgiving in November (since it's not an Aussie holiday!) ... although we do have a day set aside earlier in the year (it's only new, and hasn't really taken off yet). However, with all the inspiration from Craft Blogs, we do get swept up in all that is Fall and Thanksgiving at this time of year (especially with all the themed card challenges)!

Today I share with you a creation using Zeke the Turkey, from Stretch'N'Bubbles. He is available in store right now... and check out all the turkey images... they are fabulous! I thought he had such a fantastic shape, I didn't want to create a regular card, so I create Napkin ring! Wouldn't it look awesome with 14 of these at a Thanksgiving Table!

Ingredients: White Cardstock; Promarkers; Water Pen; Stardust Glitter Pens; Goggly Eyes; amber Rhinestones...

Zeke is about 4 inches wide, and sits so well by himself! I printed three images if Zeke, and fussy cut him in three layers - one image was whole, one with the tailfeathers removed, one only with his body. I edged all layers in black, and coloured separate sections - the back layer has only the tailfeathers coloured, with neat promarker; the middle layer has only the scalloped feathers coloured, with stardust pen; and the top layer is coloured with promarker and water pen, and stardust pens. Oops... 4 layers... the heart is a separate layer, coloured in red stardust. I couldn't help myself, I just had to use goggly eyes.....

He is fixed together with double sided tape, and has a cardboard ring fixed at the back, which holds the folded napkin. It is fixed low, so that Zeke will sit independently, and so that the fan-folded napkin will drape and support as well. This is a special napkin, as it is part of a large cloth set that was handmade in Mauritius - a friend brought it back for me from her honeymoon.

This creation is entered in these challenges:
Cupcake Inspirations #137 - photo inspiration (go check it out.... it's gorgeous!!!!)
Catch The Bug - Give Thanks
Our Creative Corner - photo inspiration
Di's Digi Designs - Fall Colours

My photo inspiration (as per Cupcake Inspirations) is Turkey, and Thanksgiving. My photo inspiration (as per Our Creative Corner) is the colour scheme, and the table dressings).

Thanks for peepin'!

Candy is a food group...

2011-11-17T15:15:00.002+11:00

I'm posting here a day late for the challenge at For Fun Challenges, and our theme for you is a recipe - in that your creation needs to contain 1 food image, 2 Decorated Papers, 3 brads/buttons/eyelets! Easy as 123!

Our sponsor this week is Clear Dollar Stamps - what an awesome collection of digi images, rubber stamps and all you need to create! Do visit and see for yourself!

I really enjoyed creating for the challenge this week, because I created an easel card - I've admired them from a distance for such a long time... and I'm certain I'll be creating many more... what fun it was!

Ingredients: Red Metallic Cardbase, Red Cardstock; Decorative Papers; Red Chalk Ink; Stardust Glitter Pens; Metallic Ink Pens, Glaze Pens; Gold Peel Off Sentiment; Giant Brads...

I printed the image on white cardstock. I then set it aside to cook dinner... then found that my husband had trimmed it out for me! He was so excited ... said he was 'helping me' ... I didn't have the heart to tell him that I wasn't going to trim it right out! I coloured with a variety of pens - glitter, glaze, metallic... lots of colour. I created three matts of card and paper, and fixed the image to one, and three brads to another. After ensuring the cardbase was folded the right way, I fixed the un-used matt to the folded open edge, then the image piece, and finally the brad piece, to the lower inside edge. I added a sentiment to some scraps, and fixed topside. (As the image is a well rounded image, I wanted to add some dimension - I fixed the bowl flat to the matt, and fixed the base of the machine a little differently - with flat tape along the side edges, it is fixed flat - but the centre is raised, as I have brought the sides a little closer to the centre before adhering down, giving a rounded look, rather than the lifted look from using foam tape).

I hope you'll pop by the blog and see the awesome showcase of creations from our design team this week... take on our Recipe challenge, and join us at For Fun Challenges... we will love to see your creations! Thanks for peepin'!

Feeling Flowerful

2011-11-17T14:53:00.000+11:00

Still suffering the Brain freeze from last week .... I guess if I save my post as a draft instead of posting it next week, it has then become a habit!

This week our challenge from our Wicked Wednesday ATCs is FLOWERFUL! We have an amazing Digi Artist sponsoring us Dilly Beans ... and our challenge winner will receive as the weekly prize... Rosie Framed (the image we created with this week).

Ingredients: DS Paper; Le Plume Markers; Glaze Pens; Metallic Ink Pens; Stardust Glitter Pens; Water Pen; Black Chalk Ink....

I printed the image, trimmed it, and set to colouring - marker for the skin, waterpen and black glitter pen for her hair, glitter and glze pens for the flowers, and metallic pen for the border pattern. I fixed it directly to the DW paper - luxuriously thick Kaisercraft paper - I edged it in black ink, and voila! Very Flowerful!

There is oodles of time to join us in our Flowerful Challenge at Wicked Wednesday ATCs... we'd love to see your creations... Thanks for peepin'!

Thankful for Apples

2011-11-15T08:57:00.003+11:00

Here's a Thank You card I created using an older image from SNB... this is Apple Basket ...

I am entering this creation into these challenges:

Stamp, Scrap & Doodle - Thank You
The Sisterhood of Crafters - Thanks
Penny's Paper Crafty - Give Thanks
CardMaking Mamas - #33 Thanks

Ingredients: White cardstock; Dotted Paper and trim; Sienna Aqua Promarker; Water Pen; Stardust Pens; Metallic Red Ink Pen; Black Fineliner Pen; Green Chalk Ink; Red Rhinestones; Lace Scrap...

I coloured the image with a marker and water pen, and used glitter pen for the apples and basket trim. Some apples were coloured with metallic red ink before adding the glitter pen layer. I fussy cut the image. I created layers with green dotty paper, and a co-ordinating scalloped trim (both edged in green ink) and fixed them directly to the white cardbase. I fixed the image in place, and added black faux stitches, finishing with red rhinestones ... which for some reason appear to be a coppery colour here in the picture! Oops... and added a quick sentiment for flavour...

Edit: A few have mentioned the 'reverse scallop detail' ... I didn't know what they were talking about! Now I see ... It APPEARS that the red/white/green patterned scallop is reversed - that the scallop is a negative cut into the green dotty paper .... it isn't.... it IS ACTUALLY the red/white/green paper... I inked the edges of the scallop, and it blends so darn well, it's illusionary!

Pop into the SNB Shop to see the vast and varied range of digital images.... you won't be disappointed!

You can win FREE SNB digital stamps, by commenting on our posts at the SNB Blog. The more comments you leave, the more chances you have of winning. We randomly draw 2 winners each week, and they receive 2 digital stamps of their choice from the shop!

Thanks for peepin'!

Thank you to our Service Men and Women!

2011-11-11T09:47:00.000+11:00

For Fun Challenges this week is honouring our servicemen and women. Past and Present. In all Countries. November 11 is an important day to many countries, a day when we take time to remember those that have served or fallen in service of their countries. Particularly we remember the signing of the armistice in 1918 (after World War 2, the US renamed Armistice Day to Veteran's Day, and other British Commonwealth allied countries to Rememberance Day, to reflect those that have served since 1918).

Although we are not a prize-sponsored challenge at FOR FUN this week, I do hope you will join us in THANKING YOUR MILITARY... we are letting our troops know that we appreciate all they have done, all they are doing, and all they have sacrificed to let us have the freedoms we so often take for granted. I hope you will share with us your creations of appreciation and rememberance!

Today I share with you a creation using A Day For Daisies image (Yellow Poppy Stem) which was originally offered as a freebie. The Poppy is a world wide flower symbolising rememberance...

To show the impact of this wonderful image, and that it's sumbolism has for me personally, I have made a very Clean & Simple creation. I wanted the red and white to be solemn, and heartfelt. So there is no bling today.

I have coloured the image with Stardust Glitter Pens, but their delicate nature shows the glitter only on angles, rather than looking front-on. I have matted the image with a red distressed paper from Kaisercraft, and fixed it directly to a white cardbase.

I have added the dotted ribbon directly around the front of the card - the ribbon continues through the centre of the card, also adding some impact for the card insert. The bow is a faux bow.... of folded loops, and a center wrap. (A style I will use far more often, as the bow sits so wonderfully flat!)

The Poppy Flower in front is purely a photo prop. It is this year's Rememberance Pin, which will be on my lapel for our cenotaph service in an hour 20 minutes .... the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month. Coincidentally, of the eleventh year this century...

Thanks for peepin'!

Thanks Squared is Thanks Shared...

2011-11-07T19:53:00.001+11:00

Here's a fab image I've been waiting to use (since we don't celebrate Thanksgiving in November, here in Australia)... from the many Squared images here at SNB... this is Thanks Squared...

Ingredients: Brown, Black Textured cardstock; Promarkers; Water Pen; Stardust Pens; Black Fineliner Pen; Goggly Eyes...

I coloured with markers and water pen, and used glitter pens for the tail and beak. I fussy cut the image, and then gave it mat layers of black and brown, finishing on a brown cardbase. I had to give him goggly eyes... this little fella has so much character!

Pop into the SNB Shop to see the entire range of Squared images.... you won't be disappointed!

You can win FREE SNB digital stamps, by commenting on our posts at the SNB Blog. The more comments you leave, the more chances you have of winning. We randomly draw 2 winners each week, and they receive 2 digital stamps of their choice from the shop!

Thanks for peepin'!

Alice is still in Wonderland!

2011-11-07T07:30:00.000+11:00

Brain freeze.... I saved my post as a draft instead of posting it. Silly.... here it is!

This is our Saturday post for our Wicked Wednesday ATCs challenge, being all about Alice! Alice in Wonderland! The design team created with an Alice image from our fabulous sponsor Tiddly Inks ... which our challenge winner will receive as the weekly prize... Alice!

I couldn't decide what creation to do - I had two ideas in my head.... so I created both. Here is my second Alice creation for you....

Ingredients: White, Black, Cardstocks; Le Plume Markers; Glaze Pen; Stardust Glitter Pens; Water Pen; Decorating Chalks...

I printed the vintage background - with the added "Watch Alice Grow" text. I printed the pocket watch image, and coloured it with chalks, and accented with glitter pen. I then cut the image in two, following the edge of the cover. I coloured Alice with markers, and used glaze pen for her dress, and glitter pen on her clock. I then fussy cut her (oh those legs!) and fixed her to the face of the pocketwatch. I then replaced the cover of the pocket watch, making it look as if she was standing in it, or growing out of it. I fixed this to the floral background, and mounted it to layers of black and white, I finished on a black card base.

You've still time to join us in our Alice in Wonderland Challenge at Wicked Wednesday ATCs.... we'd love to see your creations... Thanks for peepin'!

Alice is in Wonderland

2011-11-03T20:31:00.002+11:00

This week at Wicked Wednesday ATCs, it's all about Alice! Alice in Wonderland! The design team got to create with an Alice image from our fabulous sponsor Tiddly Inks .... and our winner will receive the image we have created with this week.... Alice!

Here is my creation for you....

Ingredients: White, Black, Cardstocks; Le Plume Markers; Glaze Pen; Stardust Glitter Pens; Water Pen; Decorating Chalks...

I printed a muted background photo - adding some text, and hoping that I'd allowed enough space for my printed Alice! I then gussied it up with chalks, keeping a fuzzy blended sort of feel. I coloured Alice with markers, and used glaze pen for her dress, and glitter pen on her clock. I then fussy cut her (oh those legs!) and fixed her to the background. After mounting on black and white, I finished on lack card base.

I got in a real groove with this image, and created another ATC.... but I'm going to share that on Saturday!

I hope you'll join us in our Alice in Wonderland Challenge at Wicked Wednesday ATCs.... we'd love to see your creations...

Thanks for peepin'!

Spot It!

2011-10-31T17:00:00.004+11:00

This is a sweet image from Stretch'N'Bubbles.... this birdie is called Spot It. It was offered ages ago, as a 24 hour freebie.... were you one of the lucky ones to nab it? If not, you'll find it at the SNB Shop...and there are heaps of other funky birds too!

Ingredients: Blue, orange, yellow cardstock; Blue Marker; Stardust Pens; Glaze Pens; Goggly eyes; floral digi background...

I created an ATC in the last week, and used the floral digi background (no, the ATC hasn't been blogged 'bout yet!). I printed off two of the backgrounds, with a white and black frame as you can see here. I don't know why, but the idea of a contrasting funky image came to mind, and so this birdie found a new home!

I printed the bird twice, and layered his wings, and his beak - the point of his beak is lifted with foam tape. The bird's body is coloured with a Mark-It Marker - all the rest is stardust and glaze pens.... The image itself has quite goggly eyes, but I was compelled to put bigger goggly eyes on - good thing I have goggly eyes in lots of sizes! After fixing him to the background, I added layers of yellow and orange cardstock, and fixed it to a blue cardbase to echo the bird's body.

Do remember to pop into see us all at the Stretch'N'Bubbles Blog.... you can win two images of your choice just for leaving a comment! The more comments you leave, the more chances of winning! Thanks for peepin'!

Isn't Su-She Love-Lee ...

2011-10-28T15:55:00.002+11:00

My plays on words are defintely getting worse! This is Lee, from the Su-She collection at Stretch'N'bubbles. Aah... now the post title makes some sense! Swing by and see the whole Su-She collection... you'll be glad you did!

Ingredients: White, Black Cardstock; Floral Paper; Le Plume , ProMarkers; Stardust Glitter Pens; Metallic Pens; Black Rhinestones; Burgundy Pearls...

Lee is wearing the finest silks, straight from Beijing, coloured with ProMarkers, Marvy Le Plume and Water Pen, with accents from Stardust Glitter and Metallic Pens. She is also adorned with the tiniest of burgundy pearls from the South China Seas. She struts her stuff on a bed of flowers from Pink Petticoat, and is lifted with foam tape (oh there is just NO way to make foam tape sound glamourous)...

I wanted to finish my post with a witty word from Confuscious, but all I could recall was "Woman runs faster with skirt up, than man runs with pants down".... good grief, Charlie Brown! Thanks for peepin'!

Magical number... 'tis Three!

2011-10-28T14:32:00.000+11:00

This week at Wicked Wednesday ATCs (yes.... I'm SOOOOO Wicked I'm late posting my challenge creation .... but that's okay, because we have a second posting on Saturdays!) .... our challenge for you is a Set of 3....you can create 3 identical ATCs, 3 co-ordinating ATCs ... any way you feel, as long as it is a SET ( not 3 random ATCs) . Our sponsor is the fabulous Michelle Perkett .... our winner will receive the image we have created with this week.... Celeste the Good Witch!

Here is my creation set for you....and I apologise in advance for the scanned picture - children beyond my control kept bugging me when I had the camera out, so I scanned them instead! I created my 'set' as the same image, in Black and White, Sepia Tones, and Colour...

Ingredients: White, Black, Purple, Sand, Brown Glitter Cardstocks; Charcoal Pencils; Sepia Promarker; Stardust Glitter Pens; Water Pen ...

The First ATC is coloured with Charcoal Pencils, and accented with glitter pens on the stars, various bits of foliage (in black) and her lips. It is matted on black and on a white ATC base. The second ATC is Sepia Marker and waterpen, accented with yellow, orange and brown glitter pens. It is matted with sand card, and on a base of metallic brown card. The third is in 'living colour'.... markers and glitter pens, matted on purple, and on a white base.

I hope you'll join us in our Set of 3 Challenge at Wicked Wednesday ATCs.... we'd love to see your creations...thanks for peepin'!

Leaves are Falling...

2011-10-28T14:11:00.001+11:00

Happy Days to Everyone! (I say through exhausted lips and closed eyes) .... an exhausting week it has surely been!) First an exhaustive trip out of town to a dental hospital, a sick child, and now at home with a sick doggie! It never ends..... thankfully my craft is my therapy!

The current challenge at Digi My World is themed "Fall" (or Autumn for those of us outside the USA). If you don't have a themed DMW image, you can use any other DMW image in Autumnal colours!

Here is my creation for you.. this is a gorgeous newley released Fall image! You must go see all the new releases... gorgeous!!! I couldn't help myself, and spent AGES colouring in all the leaves.....

Ingredients: Square Metallic Green Cardbase; Core-dinations Cardstock; Sepia Promarker; Le Plume Markers; Stardust Glitter Pens; Glitter Gold Organza Poinsettia Flower; Rhinestones; Water Pen; Leaf Glitter Stickers, Sentiment Sticker...

I printed the image twice - from one I cut the little girl, and coloured her with markers, and glitter pen (shirt). The main image I coloured with markers, and added glitter pen to various leaves around. I then edged the image with Sepia Promarker and a water pen. I fixed the coloured/trimmed girl image on top, with foam tape to lift her left arm and her head, the rest is fixed flat...

I sandpapered the brown core'dinations card, and then brushed that with the waterpen and sepia Promarker. Between the two layers, I added the organza poinsettia flower, which I had cut into individual leaves. I added a sentiment sticker to scraps of card left over, and gave it the sandpaper treatment too... (I love sanding!)... after all the layers were fixed together, I added some brown rhinestones, and a few glittery leaf stickers...

Don't forget to visit Digi My World to see the Design Team inspiration creations.... and remember that our challenges require you to use a DMW image.... there are always new fabulous images being added! We would love to see your creations, and you'll be in with a chance to win a store credit at DMW! The more creations you enter, the more chances of winning! Thanks for peepin'!

Ghoulish Greetings...

2011-10-26T22:02:00.000+11:00

After a horrendous week, several days away from home with a sick daughter, I'm home exhausted, but finally able to update my blog! I'll start with.... For Fun Challenges, and our HALLOWEEN (Not Fall/Autumn) Challenge!

Our sponsor this week is Rick St Dennis - an awesome artist, and his generous prize for our random winner is the Halloween Image Set/Sheet containing all the images the Design Team have showcased for you!

I really enjoyed creating for the challenge this week, because it was an image I would not normally use (and I'm not one to create out of my comfort zone very often).

Ingredients: Black, Orange Cardstock; Charcoal Pencils; Black Chalk Ink; Skin tone, Green Marvy Markers; Purple Metallic Pen; Black Rhinestones....

I printed the image on white cardstock, and coloured it with charcoal pencils, adding marker to his hands, skull and tie (which also is touched with metallic pen). With a waterpen, I brushed green marker into the background, and when it was all dry, I edged the card with black chalk ink. I matted it on black, and added it to an orange layer, then to the black card base. The sentiment is cut from the image sheet, and is coloured and mounted in the same way as the main image. He turned out pretty good, for a gruesome fella!

I hope you'll pop by the blog and see the awesome showcase of halloween images... take on our Halloween challenge, and join us at For Fun Challenges... we will love to see your creations! Thanks for peepin'!

Boo to You too!

2011-10-19T17:51:00.001+11:00

This week at For Fun Challenges our theme is HALLOWEEN - but we have a widdle twist - you're not allowed to use black, orange or purple.... Okay, so I fluffed - I printed my image in black ink... D'0h!

Ingredients: Kraft, Dark Brown Glitter Cardstock; Sepia Promarker; Yellow Glaze Pen; Copper Metallic Gel Pen; Yellow, Green Glitter Pens; Skintone, Charcoal Le Plume Markers; Water Pen; Charcoal Chalk Ink; Yellow Rhinestones; Vintage Lace...

I coloured the image with a waterpen and my chosen markers... adding yellow glaze pen to the house windows, Glitter Pens to the moon, stars and pumpkin leaves. The pumpkins are coloured with a metallic pen, and the wee witches skin is Le Plume marker. The Wee Ghostie has no colour at all.... after washing the background with water pen and charcoal marker, he looks whiter than white!

I edged the image in charcoal ink, and mounted it on dark brown glitter card. The cardbase is kraft, and I added a strip of vintage lace, along with a thin cut-off from the dark brown glitter cardstock. With a few rhinestones added at the top, the card is complete!

Our sponsor is the fabulous Bugaboo Stamps - always great images for any occasion (especially for the Design Team to showcase!). And they provide such a fabulous prize for our random winner.... 7 images of the winner's choice! Do remember to pop into Bugaboo every week and grab the sweet freebie.... and stop long enough to make a purchase (the latest creations are just awesome!)...

We would LOVE to see your creations in our challenge at For Fun Challenges this week..... please join us! Thanks for peepin'!

Franken Square!

2011-10-17T17:57:00.002+11:00

I really feel that we miss out here in Australia come October - we don't have any fabulous Thanksgivings or Halloween - but we are so inundated with all the festivities of these Northern Hemisphere events through the media! But oh how I would love it! So in that seasonal spirit...here's SNB's Franken Square!

Ingredients: White, Purple, Orange Cardstock; Black Chalk Ink; Marvy Pigment Markers; Black Stardust Glitter Pen; Orange Rhinestones; Green Organza Ribbon...

I printed the image with the matching sentiment below it - and hoped that my mind measurements were correct! I coloured the image with markers and diluted with a water pen for the orange background and Frankie's face. I then edged the white card with chalk ink, and set it aside while I trimmed the orange and purple matts. After fixing the white and orange layers together, I knotted the green ribbon, and fixed it at the back. I added the purple layer, then fixed it all to the white cardbase. I finally added orange rhinestones to the corners...

As well as taking his place at the StretchNBubbles blog, Franken Square is entered into Halloween Challenges at these wonderful challenge blogs:

Cupcake Inspirations - #132
Dream Valley - #18 (30/10)
Gingerloft - GL27 (30/10)
Paper Sundaes - #91
Sparkles Forum - #22

Thanks for peepin'!

Sharing an "I just saw this..."

2011-10-15T10:06:00.004+11:00

I just visited a blog sharing this Facebook re-post... definitely worth a share!

A Post on FaceBook by Delphine Fieberg

A while back, at the entrance of a gym, there was a picture of a very thin and beautiful woman. The caption was "This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?"

The story goes, a woman (of clothes size unknown) answered in the following way:

"Dear People, whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, seals, curious humans), they are sexually active and raise their children with great tenderness. They entertain like crazy with dolphins and eat lots of prawns. They swim all day and travel to fantastic places like Patagonia, the Barents Sea or the coral reefs of Polynesia. They sing incredibly well and sometimes are even on CDs. They are impressive and earliy loved animals, which everyone defends and admires.

Mermaids do not exist. But if they existed, they would line up to see a psychologist because of a problem of split personality: woman or fish?

They would have no sexlife and could not bear children. Yes, they would be lovely, but lonely and sad. And who wants a girl that smells like fish by his side? Without a doubt, I'd rather be a whale.

At a time when the media tells us that only thin is beautiful, I prefer to eat icecream with my kids, to have dinner with my husband, to eat and drink and have fun with my friends.

We women, we gain weight because we accumulate so much wisdom and knowledge that there isn't enough space in our heads, and it spreads all over our bodies. We are not fat, we are greatly cultivated.

Every time I see my curves in the mirror, I tell myself "How amazing am I?!"

Hope Butterfly Bookmark

2011-10-14T09:45:00.003+11:00

Hi .... it seems that every handful of cards I create these days has a bookmark in it.... I'm sure every week! This week, my bookmark uses the latest D2D image for the progressive challenge at Designed2Delight Digital Stamps.... the Ribbon Butterfly from the Hope set .... I have also used the floral border we received in the set...

Ingredients: Hot Pink Textured Cardstock; Floral Patterned Paper; Glaze Pens; Stardust Glitter Pens; Pink Chalk Ink; Pale Pink Ribbon in two widths...
I printed the images - I actually layered the butterfly image over the border and printed them together, and printed the butterfly separately again.... I wanted to raise the butterfly with foam tape (really thin tape!) but didn't want to have to try cutting out the antennae.... so I've only raised the wings and body.
I used a variety of glaze, gel and glitter pens to colour - using as much pink as I could. I edged the white card and floral paper with pink ink, before fixing them together. The butterfly was then fixed on top, in its rightful place. I punched a hole to thread the ribbon through, and then created a faux bow with a wider ribbon - it is folded, and cinched with thread tied at the back - as a lingerie bow is created. For some reason, the ribbon colour hasn't scanned clearly - it's a pale pink, akin to the palest pink shown on the floral paper....

As well as entering this into the Designed2Delight progressive challenge, I'm also linking this creation with the Link Up For Pink party.... follow the link badge at the top of my blog to play too! It's the last day of the Pink Link! Thanks for peepin'!

Trick or Treat! DMW #4

2011-10-13T10:24:00.000+11:00

Wow... our 4th challenge at Digi My World already! Before I get to my creation and to the challenge, drop on by the Digi My World Blog, and become a follower.... you don't want to miss out on our freebies! This week, we have some free halloween images available to use at www.digimyworld.com ... go grab them before they are all eaten!

Do check out the fabulous Halloween and Autumn themed newly released images ... they are awesome! My creation this week uses the Wendy image...

Ingredients: Hinged Box; Black Acrylic paint; Stardust Glitter Pens, Le Plume Markers; Vintage Lace; Adhesive Pearls; Large Adhesive Black Rhinestones; Ice Stickles; Pearl Glimmer Mist...

I took a sweet hexagonal hinged box and painted it with black acrylic paint. (Note to self: I need to paint more 3D projects... painting is fun!). Then I added a good spritz of Pearl Glimmer Mist. It doesn't show very well here, but the lid has a spooky uneven layer of pearl shimmer, like smokey clouds.

I printed the image, coloured it with Glitter Pens and markers, and trimmed it out. I adhered the image to the lid, and started trimming.... I first added lace, them rows of back rhinestones, and finished with patterns of pearls in cream and white. (Okay, admission time... I didn't have enough of the tiny white pearls, so I added the larger cream pearls in between to stretch round the lid!) Not large enough for dispensing Halloween Treats, but perhaps for hiding some special ones! Or if you want a trick, perhaps you could store your glass eye in it....eeew!

OUR CHALLENGE: runs October 12 to October 25.... and our theme is TRICK OR TREATS! You can enter as many creations as you like.... the more you enter, the more chances to win our fab prize of $8 store credit! Any DMW image is allowed - and TRICK or TREAT theme doesn't have to be Halloween-ish ... you MUST use a DMW image.... not a problem, because you can use the freebies!

Thanks for peepin'!

Pumpkins at For Fun Challenges

2011-10-13T09:51:00.000+11:00

This week week at For Fun Challenges our theme is PUMPKINS.... as in Pumpkins, no Jack-0-Lanterns (no faces).

Our sponsor is the fabulous Meljens Designs - always great images for the design team to showcase, and a fabulous prize for our challenge winner! If you're quick, you'll still catch this weeks freebie at her site ... they change every Monday... and of course you can always pop into her store and make a great purchase!

My creation will be posted here very soon - I'll use the excuse of technical difficulties, and leave it at that! Thanks for peepin'!

Welcome to Wicked Wednesdays ATCs!

2011-10-13T09:23:00.000+11:00

I was thrilled to be asked to join the Design Team for a new ATC challenge blog ...

As the name suggests, Wicked Wednesday ATCs are new challenges posted on Wednesdays, and are for ATCs only - Artist Trading Cards, being 2.5 x 3.5 inches in size. Each week, our challenge winner will receive the sponsor's image that is displayed by our design team. I haven't created ATCs in ages, so I thought it would be a great challenge for me too!

Our first challenge is live... the theme is ALL ABOUT YOU. Your creation should represent you.... this week we are sponsored by Just Some Lines - we played with and adorable image...

Ingredients: Purple Textured Cardstock; Deco Chalks; Pink Chalk Ink; Promarkers; Water Pen; Glaze Pens; Matt Gel Pens, Pink Adhesive Pearls...

I combined the image and background - I layered the sponsor image over a background image I had and printed on one layer. I coloured the image with markers and water pen, and with gel pens, adding glaze pens for a dimensional flower. When all was dry, I added chalks to intensify the background, and added chalk ink to the edges. I then added it to the purple ATC base, and added pearls to the corners.

This represents me in a number of ways - I love purple, vintage (background), flowers, pearls, and I'd love to be thin! LOL

Do drop by our Wicked Wednesday ATCs blog - we'd love you to meet our team, and we'd love to meet you! Come join in our ALL ABOUT YOU challenge... we'd love to see your creations! Thanks for peepin'!

Pink Tea for Two?

2011-10-10T17:26:00.002+11:00

Here's a turn of curious events.... I've stepped outside my cardmaking, and created a box! I really cheated, because I used a precut box. I've no templates this big! I used SNB's Flourish Teapot, an image I've long admired, but never created with (it's in the SNB Shop).

Ingredients: Gift Box; Marvy Le Plume Markers, Glaze Pens; Rhinestone (really big!); Pearls; Floral Rub-ons; Ice Stickles, Pearl Glimmer Mist...

This gift box would be awesome for a really big piece of cake.... especially if you were sharing it with someone over a cuppa! I've printed and coloured the teapot image with Marvy Le Plume markers and a Water Pen, and I used glaze pens for the flowers. I used a rather large pink rhinestone for the knob on the teapot lid! I trimmed the box with a wide floral vintage lace, that I have sprayed with Pearl Glimmer Mist. I also added Ice Stickles, and pearls to dress the corners around the image. You can see the side and top of the box as well.... I've used a set of rub-ons on the handle and the box top, and repeated one of the floral images on the other three sides of the box.

I'm linking this creation with the Link Up For Pink party.... follow the link badge at the top of my blog to play too!

Thanks for peepin'!

Happy Birthday, Scrappin' Sista!

2011-10-08T07:33:00.001+11:00

You know that nagging feeling you get that tells you that you have forgotten something? We'll I've had it a while. In fact, well over a week.It has driven me nuts trying to work out what it was that I have forgotten... and knowing my luck of late, there is more I have forgotten. I know it always coincides with an increase in family responsibilities, so perhaps that's it.... So I've worked out that I have missed a blog post! The creation got to it's right destination on time, but I plum forgot to post it here on my own blog! So I'm late... I'm late... for a very important date.... lucky for me it's running all month!!!!

Scrappin Sista (Christel) is celebrating her birthday month .... by having a guest designer showcased on her blog every day... I was the first to show, on October 1st.... looking at today's date, you know why I'm late! I met Christel on a blog hop.... and then we worked on a challenge design team together... what an awesome dynamo she is!

I created a card that celebrates - I guess it could be used for a birthday, but I thought since the celebration was a month, my creation needed a longer-standing sentiment! I thought this image from Michelle Perkett Studio was just perfect - a celebration of people - growth, friendship, togetherness... and birthdays where applicable!

Ingredients: 6x6 white cardbase; Water Pen; Promarkers; Stardust Glitter Pens; Vintage Crochet Lace; Tiny Rhinestone Adhesive Strips...

My mind was set on a very white card, with touches of colour. So colouring is minimal - water brushed promarker colour for the skin and hair, and glitter pens for the flowers and grass. After the image was coloured to my satisfaction, I simply mounted it with a border of a gorgeous white vintage crochet lace, and fixed it to the card. It still needed something.... of course! BLING! And being a celebratory creation, lots of it! So my loads of bling is presented in a frame around the image - tiny adhesive rhinestones... I love that these are so small... and very I am very thankful that they don't have to be adhered individually!!!

So Happy Birthday Christel.... have a great birthday month! I'm a bit late, but I'm here! Do pop by Christel's blog to see the daily creations.... and there's candy too! Thanks for peepin'!

Patches the Ghost

2011-10-07T09:54:00.000+11:00

I'm sure my love of things ghosty and halloweeny stem from the fact that we don't have Halloween. Australia doesn't celebrate it as a calendar event (from whence it originated, with all its meanings and reason)... the shops do succumb to the mass retail venture of peddling everything Halloween they can ... with cheap halloween treats, costumes, and decorations ... I guess it's beneficial to them, because they stock the shelves every year! We've often had Halloween Balls and themed parties, but it's just an excuse to dress up ...

Here I share my creation using the latest D2D image for the progressive challenge at Designed2Delight Digital Stamps... introducing Patches the Ghost....

I'm noticing a real swing to a brown and autumnal colour palette. I should be bright and cheery, since it's Spring Down Under! I've minimised this card's bellies - so it's quite flat - it will be mailed overseas.... thank you Australia Post for making such severe and restrictive rules to regulate what we can send overseas ....

Ingredients: Cardstock - Kraft cardbase, Dark Brown Metallic Glitter, Black Textured; Promarkers; Water Pen; Glitter Pen; Decorating Chalks; Golden Rhinestones...

I coloured the image with 2 promarkers and a water pen - the ghost is largely uncoloured, so he appears quite white. I chalked the background with various browns. The image is matted with glittery metallic brown and textured black cardstock, and fixed to a Kraft cardbase. With a brown glitter pen, I added faux stitching. I still wanted to embellish more, but with what? I finally settled with rhinestones, but not in the corners as I might normally do.... I added them to the cheeky ghost's cheeks! Thanks for peepin'!

Leaves are falling...

2011-10-05T17:16:00.001+11:00

This week's challenge at For Fun Challenges is very seasonal, although not my season.... in the northern hemisphere, autumn has arrived, and we want you to use LEAVES on your creation! I live in the southern hemisphere, so we're in Spring....

Our returning sponsor this week is Di's Digi Downloads. The generous prize for our challenge winner is... 5 images of the winner's choice! We had a ball creating with Di's images, so drop by the For Fun blog and check it all out!

Ingredients: Cardstock - Copper Metallic, Brown, Orange; Pens - Stardust Glitter, Glaze, Promarkers; Chalks; Glitter Stickers; Clear Sentiment Sticker; Mini Brads....

I printed, then coloured the image, with a variety of pens.

I filled in the background with decorating chalks. After creating 2 matt layers from solid colour cardstock, I fixed the image layer on top, and then to the cardbase - a little off centre, to accommodate the sentiment sticker. The sentiment was adhered to cardstock, and given some brads, then fixed to the cardbase askew, with foam tape. I then set to adding a 'frame' of lots of leaves.... all glitter stickers... very textured and dimensional!

I thought the sentiment was perfect for the image, especially in this age of blogging and cyber-life .... our friends are all over the world, but only as far away as fingers on a keyboard!

Do come over to For Fun Challenges, and join in our challenge... we'd love to see your creations...

Thanks for peepin'!

Pumpkin Squared....

2011-10-04T14:10:00.000+11:00

I could eat pumpkin pie as a round pie, or as pumpkin squares, or finger sized rectangles.... oh sorry, I've lost the plot, I'm not talking pies.... Pumpkin Squared is the name of the StretchNBubbles image that I've used for my card! But OH! How I love pumpkin pie.... hot cold, with cream, without... whatever shape, I'llk eat it at any time of the day (I've lost the plot again!... this delightful image is in the SNB shop right now....

Ingredients: Cardstock - white cardbase, brown glitter, orange textured; Chalks - Pearly, Matte finish; Embroidery Threads; Vintage Velvet Flower Blossoms; Brown Glitter Pen...

I decided very quickly, that I had to stitch this image! I printed it in pale, and trimmed it to size. I stem stitched the entire image, except for the little twirlies and the leaf veins, which are in running stitch. I then use chalks and a tiny pompom to colour the image. I cut layers of a rich brown metallic and orange textured cardstock and fixed three vintage flower blossoms through, before fixing it to the cardbase and adding some faux stitching around the outer.

I'm entering this creation in challenges at:
Creative Stamp Friends - #35 Autumn Colours (16/10)
365 Cards - Day 217 Framed - framed with the pumpkin vine (16/10)
Daisy Doodles Creations - #43 - Fall Colours/Giving Thanks(9/10)
House of Gilli - #17 - Fall (9/10)
The Shabby Tea Room - #82 Shabby Autumn (9/10)

Thanks for peepin'!

Autumn Mums

2011-09-30T09:58:00.000+10:00

I love Chrysanthemums. I was very happy to create with this image from Designed2Delight Digital Stamps. The image is called Autumn Mums... isn't it lovely!

Ingredients: cardstock, Paper - Portacraft; Promarkers; Glitter Pens, Glaze Pens - Sakura; Chalks - Pebbles Inc; Rhinestones - Kaisercraft...
I created a card with a brown palette, and thought that it might also be appropriate for a gent. I loved the spots of the vase, so kept it bold with bands of brown behind the image layer. I coloured the flowers with stardust pens, the vase with promarkers and a water pen, and added glaze pen over the spots. I chalked browns and yellow around the image to fill the whitespace. Oh, and also a metallic copper pen to the vase trim, at the top. I used only one matt for the image, and it's a dark metallic brown. The cardbase is a copper metallic, while the other papers used a re flat matte. Unfortunately, the metallic and glitterati doesn't really show in this picture.... Rhinestones were finally added to the image corners.
Thanks for peepin'!

2011-09-28T16:19:00.000+10:00

This week's challenge at For Fun Challenges is to Show Some Warmth. In the northern hemisphere, autumn is sharing it's colour and cooler temperatures.... so, show us warmth!

Our returning sponsor this week is Bugaboo. Their generous prize for our challenge winner is... 7 images of the winner's choice! We had a ball creating with their images, and had 2 fabulous Bugaboo designers join us on our blog challenge, so drop by the For Fun blog and check it all out!

I created with a delightful Bugaboo image - Winterbirds - Friend... isn't it cute!

Ingredients: Cardstock - Kaszazz; Paper - Creative Memories; Stardusst Glitter Pens, Glaze Pens - Sakura; Chalk Ink - Colorbox; Ice Stickles; Rhinestones - Kaisercraft; Ribbon - Cherry....

I printed the image, coloured with stardust glitter pens, and glaze pen for the boots. I also added ice stickles to the snow, and the falling flakes. After creating matts from solid colour and a bubble pattern - the bubbles reminded me of snowballs (I haven't seen a snowball since 1995!) - I inked the edges, and fixed them together with tap. I then took a length of gorgeous organza ribbon, with velvet spots, tied a knot, and fixed it to the layers. All these goodies were then fixed to the crisp white cardbase, and I threw on some rhinestones....

So come on over to For Fun Challenges, and Show Us Warm by joining in our challenge.... we'd love to see your creations.... thanks for peepin'!

Flower Love

2011-09-26T16:22:00.001+10:00

Here's a quick Clean And Simple card I've just made, using the StretchNBubbles image named Flower Love, (it's in the SNB shop waiting for you!)

Ingredients: Cardstock, Paper - Portacraft; Stardust Pen, Glaze Pen - Sakura; Rhinestones - Scrapbooking Bitz...

I've created a CAS card really simple using a bold colour schoeme and layers for impact. There is almost no colouring in this card - because in my graphics program, I turned the image into a negative, and printed it (of course the original image is penned in black, on a white background). I coloured the heart on the flower with red Stardust pen, and then a few layers of red glaze pen. It has white and black matt layers and is fixed on a red cardbase. A border of tiny rhinestones was added last, to really make it pop with bling.

I love the way this turned out, and will definitely use this method of negative printing when I am short of time. I've had a clanger of a migraine all day, which wouldn't let up. But the pony express has to get through, and I'm glad I found a way to get it through the Migraine Valley!

Don't forget .... if you visit the SNB blog and comment on our creations, you go into our weekly draw of winning two digital stamps! The more you comment, the more chances of winning! Oh and there are two winners each week.... automatically, your chances are doubled! Thanks for peepin'!

Midnight Margaritas!

2011-09-24T14:00:00.012+10:00

Visit here for all the details
and full listing of guests!

Welcome to my little table at the 2011 Practical Magic Blog Party! Wow a whole year has passed since the last party.... did I meet you here last year? I thought I recognised you.... it's great to see so many faces back here again....

I just love this movie....Practical Magic.... Stockard Channing and Diane Weist (not forgetting Sandra Bullock and our own Nicole Kidman!!!) are just my favourites .... I've loved Stockard ever since I saw her as Rizzo in GREASE when I was a kid (yes, the FIRST time it was released!!!) and Diane Weist when she played Mum in The Lost Boys (and of course who couldn't adore a young Keifer Sutherland vampire!) Well, in case you didn't catch my story about this movie at the last party, you can find it here in my scrapbook album....

Short story - it was the first movie I saw with my husband of now 11 years.... well, okay, we met as a result of a self inflicted Practical (Magic) Joke... as a lark I put an advert in a singles magazine (really too lazy to keep looking for a man). It cost me $5. As soon as I read G's response, I knew that he was the 'one' ....before his photo fell out, and before I met him. And he had only purchased the magazine because he couldn't find the magazine he really wanted in a tiny seaside town. I'd say THAT was Practically Magic....

This year, I want to show you some jewellery creations that I have made....

I love butterflies, and they are such a powerful talisman and symbol to so many walks of life, so many seasons and events ...

I love that their life is ever-evolving and accepting of change.... something that I aspire to be, but sometimes don't quite achieve. I picked orange, cream and brown pearls on brass to celebrate the Autumn (even though it's Spring here in Australia!)...

My next creation showcases the magic that is a circle....another powerful symbol for so many... and the Number 3 ....

On a double brass chain, are three circles that are encrusted with faceted rhinestones.... the close up shows their detail.

After I made this one, it appeared that while wearing it, face on it looks just like circles..... but when you get closer, it can be something completely different (the rhinestones are not obvious in the front view) .... kinda like life, really....

I love to make earrings as well, so I made a dangly pair on brass, with some abstract charms I had laying in my treasure box....

Thank you for visiting my blog .... and I do hope you enjoy the Practical Magic Blog Party...... and if you're visiting me from outside the party... I thank you for visiting too! Thanks for peepin'! And have a margarita on me!

Happiness Blooms

2011-09-23T10:21:00.000+10:00

Time for another creation using an image from Designed2Delight. The image is called Happiness Blooms... from Designed2Delight Digital Stamps, insn't it a delight!

Ingredients: Cardstock - Kaszazz; Stardust Pens - Sakura; Rhinestones - Kaisercraft; Foam Tape

I've made another CAS card - I think that style favours bold funky images like this, and I tend to use a lot of those sort of images! I printed the image twice, and coloured with Stardust glitter pens. I used two layers for the flower (just printed one image smaller) used different glitter pens for the flower layers, and fixed the top layer with foam tape. I also used two layers for the blue vase, but fixed the top layer with regular double sided tape. I thought the bold image needed only one bold matting layer, so I chose a yellw cardstock. Rhinestones to the corner finish my 'obligatory bling'! (Quite silly really, I feel that my card is 'naked' without some bling!)

Thanks for peepin'!

Did I Forget an Anniversary?

2011-09-23T10:14:00.001+10:00

Visit The Paper Shelter here

No....I am embarrassed to say that it finally happened.... I ran out of doublesided tape! Of all the years of crafting, it happened to me. Am I red faced! So I am running late for posting challenges...

But now I can share my creation for this week's challenge at
For Fun Challenges! Our sponsor this week has a fabulous prize for you - a $20 gift certificate at their store - we welcome back The Paper Shelter! I used a delightful image to create my card...

Ingredients: Card - Kaszazz; Papers - Creative Memories; Markers - Promarker Aqua; Stardust Glitter Pens - Sakura; Chalk Ink - Colorbox; Sentiment Tag - Do Crafts; Ice Stickles, a paper rose bud...

After colouring my images, I chalked the edge with blue, did some simple matting, and created my card. I added a sentiment tage, and threaded a rose bud into the boy birdie's hand/wing. I used Stardust glitter pens in the girl birdie's bow, their beaks, the flowers and leaves. I then added some layers of red glaze pen (also by Sakura - love them!) to the heart, and when they dried, I topped it with Ice Stickles.

Such fabulous images... the DT had a ball creating this week.... do go see what we created at the For Fun Challenges blog, then put in your entry.... we'd love to see your creations! And don't forget that the twist with your Anniversary creation, is that it can't contain any bells or cake!!! Thanks for peepin'!

Cluck Cluck!

2011-09-20T07:51:00.000+10:00

I love SNB images - especially birdie ones! This is no exception, and is a new image called Cluck Cluck.

Ingredients: Cardstock - Kaszazz, DCWV; Stardust pens - Sakura; Chalk - Pebbles Inc; Rhinestones - Kaisercraft; Organza/Velvet Ribbon - Cherry...

This image reminded me of a fabric patchwork chicken, with all it's spots....so I kept it's colouring bold and to minimum of 3 - red, yellow and orange (glitter pens of course). I used multiple layers of coloured and white cardstock to create depth and red faux stitching to detract from the white and pink/red of the cardstock. I loved the spots so much I carried it on through the textured cardstock, and two layers of organza/velvet ribbon!

This card is entered into challenges at:
Kaboodle Doodles - #85 Lots of Layers (26/9)
Crafty Boots - Things with Wings (2/10)

Thanks for peepin'!

Where's your school spirit!

2011-09-18T18:04:00.002+10:00

The current challenge at Digi My World is themed School Spirit.... we challenge you to use a DMW image, and show us some school spirit! I chose the 'playtime' spirit of school, and used the Hula Hoop image...

Ingredients: Cardstock - Kaszazz; Paper - Portacraft; Chalks - Pebbles Inc; Stardust Pen - Sakura; Thread - DMC; Rhinestones - Kaisercraft.

I repeated the title images 'hula hoop', and lightened them as a background, and used the full depth image in the foreground. After chalking some colour, I set to stitching around her hair, clothing, and hula hoop. I glitzed her hoop with a stardust pen. Before fixing the image to the hot pink cardbase, I added a matt of textured metallic pink paper, and added rhinestones to finish.

Don't forget that Digi My World challenges required you to use a DMW image - and check out the fabulously new retro images.... they are shagadelic, Baby,Yeah! Thanks for peepin'!

Relaxing Autumn Harvest

2011-09-16T09:46:00.000+10:00

Today I share with you my Relaxing Autumn Harvest. What? An Autumn harvest, relaxing? Just my combination of two challenges..... Glitter Geeks, and Designed2Delight. I'll explain further on! First up, the image is from Designed2Delight Digital Stamps, and is called Autumn Harvest. I so love the D2D designs!

Ingredients: Cardstock - Portacraft; Promarkers; Stardust Pens - Sakura; Rhinestones - Kaisercraft; Ribbons - Cherry...

I've coloured the wheelbarrow with a promarker and a waterpen - same colour, just watered down for lighter colours. I used glitter pens for the sunflowers, as I wanted them to stand out - and I have a thing for minimal coloured photos (usually B&W) with one focal object handcoloured. So I thought I'd try it with a digi image, in sepia tones...

The image is single nounted on brown, and that is wrapped with a brown satin ribbon, and overlayed with a cream/gold organza ribbon, on which I've tied a faux bow. I tied the knot to the back of the cream ribbon, and with the flat loop on the front, I threaded another scrap through.... so it has loos ends at the front and back. Rhinestones to the corner finish my 'obligatory bling'!

Now... the challenge over at Glitter Geeks, Challenge 14 is themed "Relax". I like to relax with crafts of course, but I also like to sit outside and breathe in that fresh country air.... so what better than to sit and view the garden! And I love sunflowers.Thanks for peepin'!

Warm me up, Buttercup!

2011-09-14T16:46:00.002+10:00

This week's challenge for you at For Fun Challenges is themed Cooler Temperatures - Show Us Some Warmth! We would love to see your WARMING creations using only RED, YELLOW and BROWN!!! We are sponsored by Digi My World who is offering a prize of $10 store credit! Yay an image shopping spree!

Here is my creation for you, hopefully something that will warm you a little!

I've used the Digi My World "Give a Cheer" set...

Ingredients: Cardstock - Portacraft; Promarkers; Stardust Pens - Sakura; Chalks - Pebbles Inc; Threads - DMC

I printed and coloured the image, and after it was all dry, I sponged chalk into the background. I mounted it on brown textured card, then another brown layer, and onto the cardbase. I then set to pricking holes for stitching. Using a simple stem stitch I stitched round the three layers, and added some cross-stitches in the corners.

As a large card - 6x6 inches, it would also be a great embellishment for a 12x12 scrapping layout!

Do hop over to the For Fun Challenges blog and see our DT creations - I hope they inspire you to join in our challenge! Thanks for peepin'!

Mi Shell... ma belle

2011-09-13T16:59:00.000+10:00

Every time I hear the girl's name "Michelle" or variations thereof, I always start hearing The Beatle's song "Michelle Ma Belle".... such a beautiful song, and let's face it, anything sung in French makes you want to sing and sway!

This week's SNB image for me, is a new image to the Zen Collection, named "Shell". I think she is adorable, and something 'goth' came to mind when I first saw her. I'm not gothy at all, although I love the romance and ambience of gothy old world. So her creation comes to you in Red and Black....

Left Pic taken with Flash, to show the sparkle and glitter.
Right Pic has no Flash, but the colour is more accurate.

I used: Cardstock - Portacraft; Stardust pens - Sakura; Water Pen; Rhinestones, Pearls - Kaisercraft; Vintage Lace; Vintage button; Vintage Ribbon.

I have coloured her with only red and black stardust pens. To get the grey for her dress, I have thinned it with a water pen. I've left her face/body, dress trim neat, with no colour, so the white is very white!

The image layer is matted on black textured card, and wrapped with ribbon-threaded lace (looks like a garter, don't you think?). I also added a black button. Clear rhinestones are flower centres for her bouquet, and pink pearls finish the top corners.

Do drop by the StretchNBubbles blog .... we have TWO weekly winners, just for leaving comments on our creations! Two randomly drawn visitors receive their choice of two images from the SNB Shop..... how cool is that!

Thanks for peepin'!

Here Kitty Kitty...

2011-09-09T09:30:00.000+10:00

Stepping out of my comfort zone, this week for the Designed 2 Delight Digital Stamps progressive challenge, I've made a shaped card. I've printed the image of Falloween Cat quite large, almost 6x6 inches, and trimmed him out completely. I've colored him with charcoal pencils, hoping to get a feathery look for his fur. His collar and 'tail' star are coloured with stardust glitter pens, and his nose is coloured with a Marvy Le Plume marker.

I've attached him to a cardbase of black, and then trimmed it around the cat. The side fold is neatly disguised! I've taken the photo of it against an orange background for contrast.

Thanks for peepin'!

Witches Shoes

2011-09-05T20:48:00.000+10:00

I love heeled boots and striped stockings. I don't wear them often (striped stockings that is!) lest I look like the Michelin Man, but I love boots. Especially those fab Victorian style boots, with heels, and that lace half way up your calf. So this is a favourite image of mine, from StretchNBubbles....

Ingredients: Cardstock - Kaszazz; Paper - Portacraft; Stardust Pens - Sakura; Rhinestones - Kaisercraft; Satin Ribbon...

I've coloured the image with Stardust pens, and added Pea Green rhinestones. I made simple mats for the image and the ribbon, from paper scraps. I like to create using scraps, it makes me feel like I've achieved a little more, and that I've been more resourceful!

I'm not quite in a Halloween mood yet, but I'm almost there. That's why I created this card on a white cardbase, so it could be used for another event... (sorry the pen colours don't seem true in the pic - they really are far more vivid than they show here...)

Thanks for peepin'!

More Blog Candy!

2011-09-01T08:24:00.001+10:00

Yes..... MORE Blog Candy! Digi My World is now offering WEEKLY CANDY DRAWS!!!

We had so much fun with our first Blog Candy giveaway, we are offering it more often!

How to enter (to qualify as a winner, you MUST follow our rules, not hard at all!)

1. You must be a DMW blog follower
2. Display the Blog Candy Button on your blog to spread the good news (grab it from our blog)
3. Post about the candy on your blog
4. Add your entry details to the Candy Post Linky at the DMW Blog

Each week, a randomly selected winner will receive a $4 credit to the DMW Shop...

So what are you waiting for!

A New Challenge - Digi My World!

2011-09-01T08:15:00.000+10:00

Yippee! A new fortnightly challenge for you...... DIGI MY WORLD! And you can even see our scheduled challenges, right here...

Our first Challenge, has an ANYTHING GOES theme, and will run 31st August - 13th September - you must use a DMW image, and there are freebies every week, frequent blog candy.... or lash out and buy some fantastic goodies from the DMW shop! Enter as many times as you like!

I created a card using the coloured Yeehaw Cowgirl image....

Ingredients: Cardstock - Kaszazz; Paper - Portacraft; Chalk Ink; Threads - DMC; Sentiment tag - Do Crafts...

I created this card by freehand stem stitching various matching threads around the image lines. I inked the image layer edges, created some paper mats, and fixed it to the orange cardbase. I added a wee sentiment tag, that I also layered. It's nice and flat, and ready to post!

Challenge Winners will be announced 14th September, when we announce our next challenge. You can find out more information about our challenges here...

Remember, you can use any DMW image, purchased or a freebie! The challenge winner will receive a $10 DMW credit, and that buys lotsa digis!

Thanks for peepin'!

Tweeter in Stitches

2011-08-29T11:21:00.000+10:00

This is one of my favourite SNB images ... Tweeter .... I love that he has clean lines and has a 'primitive' sorta style... which is why I stitched him, and made a CAS card... I could see him as a framed print!

Ingredients: Cardstock - Kaszazz; Textured Papers - Portacraft; Chalk Ink - Colorbox; Thread - DMC

Wow, what a short list of ingredients!

I printed the image, and trimmed it to size. I then set to stitching.... I just used stem stitch.... and stitched directly to the the card - no pre-pricked holes here today! I didn't want to add any other colour except the thread.

I edged the image layer with chalk ink, and matted it with textured paper, then fixed it to the orange cardbase.

Entered into challenges at:
Card Cupids - Stitching (12/9)
Cupcake Inspirations - photo inspiration (5/9)
Creations by Gill M - Anything that Flies (4/9)

Thanks for peepin'!

My Yahoo email was compromised!

2011-08-23T17:28:00.000+10:00

Hi... if anyone has received an email from my yahoo address requesting money because I'm stuck in London, England, it is a hoax, and not from me at all! My email account was hacked into, and apparently this ridiculous message was sent to everyone in my email address book.

Those that know me will know the way I sign my emails to them, and should recognise it is not from me. There are also words in it that I do not use e.g. CELL PHONE - here in Australia, we call them MOBILE PHONES.

The biggie is that anyone would know that I would be excitedly shouting out from the rooftops about going to London BEFORE I left home... and would never take a trip that big without telling someone! And of course there's the thingie about needing the money to actually GET TO LONDON, not to come home from London...

I apologise to anyone who has been affected by this. Unfortunately there is little we can do to stop DISHONEST and NASTY people from trying to take advantage of others. I hope the steps that I have taken have now stopped this email from my account.

A Bonnie Wee Page!

2011-08-22T15:25:00.000+10:00

Play on words, play on words.... This post is called "A Bonnie Wee Page" because the digi image I used is called "Bonnie"! Bonnie hails from the StretchNBubbles "Little Imps" collection and they are all so CUTE!!! You'll want them all... I dare you to stop at just one!

I am always creating pages for my daughter's album, and my latest effort shows her love of pancakes ... she is so good when she goes out for pancakes.... when I cook them at home, she eats them faster than I can cook them! Yikes!

Ingredients used: (for the page, not the pancakes!) Cardstock - Core'dinations Vintage; Paper - Cre8tiv; Markers - Marvy Le Plume; Stardust Pens - Sakura; Water Pen; Alpha - Creative Memories; Fabric Flowers; Gold Brads...

To create the page, I trimmed a 12x12 paper to fit inside the cardstock, so it would appear as if it were framed. I cropped and matted the photos. With such cropped photos, I printed the Bonnie image quite large.... knowing where I would place it, I added and fixed the flowers and title. I used my water pen with markers to colour the image, and added stardust pen to accent the clothing.

I keep my pages relatively embellishment free, but still lumpy bumpy, as she has sensory issues, and likes to pull things to pieces.... to many embellishments is sensory overload for her! We focus on the photos...

Thanks for peepin'!

Heart Journal - The Girl In Me - W4

2011-08-19T09:54:00.000+10:00

This Heart Journal project at The Greeting Farm is really fun. I don't every journal nearly as much as I should, so every week has been a challenge. And I'm doing far more by my own hand than I do in my scrapbook albums!

This week, the theme was The Girl In Me... and I don't consider myself a girly girl at all. So I focused my journalling on choices I make, and although I kept embellishments to a minimum (well, one type of embellishment, but not minimal on the page!) they are flowers.... I just love flowers.

I was silly and didn't even rule lines to write on, so my journalling isn't straight. I started to accent in capitals then promptly omitted them in the second sentence... talk about not paying attention. But at least I'm journalling!

The flowers are created with paper ribbon (Creative Memories) for the stems, and diecut flowers (WishMade) layered on top. Nothing extravagant, but I thought it came out well.... might have to try this as a 12x1 layout sometime!

Thanks for peepin'!

Stitchin' Pumpkins

2011-08-19T09:45:00.000+10:00

I think of all the vegetables I like, pumpkins would be my favourite. At any time of the year! So I really enjoyed creating with this week's image from the Designed 2 Delight digital stamps progressive challenge. Pumpkin Image! Yay!

Ingredients: Cardstock - Kaszazz; Markers - Marvy Le Plume; Stardust Glitter pens - Sakura; Chalk Ink - Colorbox; Aquash water pen...

I focused on colouring for this card, and played embellishment free, because I wanted the border images to be the trimmings. I printed on one layer, and flipped a border image for the top so the borders were reversed. I coloured with an aquash pen and markers, using stardust pens only on the buttons. I left darker and light filled areas to add some visual texture. Before mounting the image layer onto the brown textured cardbase, I edged it in yellow chalk ink.

Thanks for peepin'!

For Fun Challenges you to Layout!

2011-08-17T19:43:00.001+10:00

This week at For Fun Challenges, we challenge you to create a layout...a scrapbook page! Our sponsor this week owner/designer Sylvia Zet, and her adorable collection of Wee Stamps .... what fabulous images! To top it all, the winner of our challenge will receive 3 images of their choice... Oooh... I don't envy the winner's task of choosing only 3!

So here is my creation for you... a layout/page featuring my gorgeously delightful Great Niece (my niece's daughter)... she is almost 2 years old, and already demanding sole use of the skype camera! She wants to be star of the show, so I'm showing my star....

Ingredients used: Cardstock - DCWV (Blossoms & Butterflies stack), Core'dinations Vintage; Markers - Marvy Le Plume; Rub-on sentiment - Kaisercraft; Acrylic 3D Flowers; Pearls...

I took the 6x8" photo and sanded around the edges.... I smeared and orange marker along where I had sanded, then buffed it off. Then, followed with a purple marker, but not to the same depth. This made the transition of white photo to purple CS easier... then after I added the flowers, I thought pearls would be really buff, so I added those too. I took the rub-on sentiment and added it to the photo... after fixing the photo to the basepage, I realised I had printed and coloured the image too large for the photo choice. So instead of starting again, I removed Silver Fairy's wings, and fixed them again (more closely), and fixed her to the page, with flat DS tape, and foam tape... she has a lot of dimension! The picture doesn't show it, but the page base is glitter embossed... just gorgeous (I love DCWV stacks)!

Oh, how did I colour the fairy? I used a water pen with markers for her clothes, and the water pen with glitter pens for her wings... to get a water coloured effect. Her hair is ProMarker Aqua, and skin is Marvy Le Plume. More glitter pens detail her clothes....

Don't forget to enter your layout creation in our challenge at For Fun Challenges.... and thanks for peepin'!

Appreciated Follower Award

2011-08-16T11:11:00.003+10:00

This award is a bit special.... it came from Anne-Marie (who has an awesome blog, and I love her banter - it's just like a telephone call, or a chat over a cuppa!) called the Appreciated Follower Award... we all love to receive blog comments. I find it heartwarming to find a comment from someone who passed by... it's nice to know that people DO visit my wee bloggie! Comments are encouraging, give a smile, and they make this blog guff all worthwhile...

This award was created for Followers who really are Followers ....the ones who take the the time to visit our blogs, who leave a comments for us. Heaven knows I would love to have hours to devote to visiting blogs, and commenting, but it doesn't happen... the short time I do get to 'compute' isn't enough to visit my 'wanna see' blogs on a daily basis, no matter how much I'd love to! I love visiting my followers' blogs.... it's nice to see what everyone is doing.

Anyhoo... if your happy smiley face is over yonder on my right sidebar, I'd love you to copy and save this sweet award to your own blog....and pass it on to those who follow you, and who give you encouragement and inspiration!

And please return back here and let me know that you've accepted my award for you.... I'd love to know who has shared it with me, and is going to share it with others... I promise that I will visit everyone who accepts this award!!!

Thank you for following me... my blog... and if we all visit, and comment, it won't fee like we're all taking to ourselves!

Foo-Ling Around...

2011-08-15T18:13:00.000+10:00

Isn't it funny how we often go back to our favourite images to create with.... especially when we have a mental block.... and lately I've had Teflon Brain.... nothing sticks and I can't grasp anything! So today I share with you a bookmark I created using Foo-Ling from the SNB Su-She collection.

Ingredients: Cardstock - Kaszazz; Markers - Marvy Le Plume; Chalks - Pebbles Inc; Stardust and Glaze Pens - Sakura; Satin Ribbon; Glass Beads...

I printed the image around 16cms long - she's too tall for a regular greeting card. I coloured her with markers, and chalks, and accented her kimono, teapot and hair flower with glaze pens and stardust glitter pens. I trimmed her, then added a black mat, then trimmed that as well. I threaded a pale blue satin ribbon through her hair, and knotted two floral glass beads to finish the bookmark.

Comment at StretchNBubbles to win! If you would like the chance to win FREE digital stamps, all you have to do is comment on posts at the SNB Blog. The more posts you comment on that week, the better chance you have of winning. We will pick 2 random comments each week to win 2 Free digital stamps of their choice from the shop! How easy us that!

This creation is entered in these challenges around the blogosphere....
Card Cupids - Bookmark (29/8)
Challenge Up Your Life - #50 No Patterned Paper (27/8)
All Sorts - #116 Anything But A Card (19/8)
Stamp, Scrap & Doodle - Photo Inspiration (19/8)

Thanks for peepin'!

Heart Journal - Gratitude W3

2011-08-12T14:35:00.000+10:00

I need to practice my handwriting .... or penmanship (I'm sure I said this last week too!). Not just in my own style, but I need to feel more comfortable with a pen in my hand, for doing more than colouring or stitches!

This week's task for the Heart Journal project at The Greeting Farm was a theme of GRATITUDE. And I'm a firm believer that there just isn't enough gratitude on this planet. It costs nothing to give it, and when it is received it is priceless. My spread here doesn't show everything I'm grateful for, but at least some of the things I'm grateful for....really, the list is endless, isn't it?

I grabbed my glitter pens and threw the theme in the middle of the page. I added heaps of rubons, and I love the mix of fonts. A few flowers are always nice too! I coloured the title, again with the glitter pens. I can't help myself, I love my glitter pens. I liked the look in predominantly black and white, but I thought some splashes of colour would work .... and a few splashes turned into colour everywhere!

Thanks for peepin'!

D2D Cupcake Mouse

2011-08-12T10:28:00.000+10:00

So this last week, I've felt really, really silly... I love Designed 2 Delight digital stamps, and love to play in the progressive challenge. Last month, I created my final card to receive the end of the month set, post it to MY blog and promptly forgot to submit it to D2D! If that isn't a Homer Simpson moment, I don't know what is!

This week I created a birthday card.... gorgeous image, Cupcake Mouse...

Ingredients: Cardstock - Kaszazz; Paper - Pink Petticoat; Chalks - Pebbles Inc; Stardust Pens - Sakura; Rhinestones - Kaisercraft; Glitter Stickers - PaperCraft; Sentiment Sticker.

I coloured the image with chalks and stardust pens. I created lots of layers and fixed them to the white cardbase. I placed the sentiment, then added glitter stickers around... I so like them! I finished off with a few rhinestones int he corners, and in the flower centres.

Entered into these challenges
Cute Card Thursday - #177 Clean and Simple (18/8)
Divas by Design - #8 Birthdays (23/8)
A Spoonful of Sugar - #162 Happy Birthday (29/8)
Anything Goes - #47 Happy Birthday/Celebration (23/8)

Thanks for peepin'!

Preparing for Christmas...

2011-08-09T07:34:00.000+10:00

Here's a quick little project (okay not so quick, I did lots of cutting) ... in preparation for Christmas, I've started to make gift cards.... this card uses the SNB image "Squared Holly" .... and if you like this Christmas style, you'll find a whole set of fantastic Christmas images.... all in the square!

Ingredients: Paper and Cardstock - PortaCraft; Stardust Pens - Sakura; Diamond Rhinestones - Kaisercraft...

Being a gift card, it is half the size of a regular card - 7.5cm x 10.5 cm... I coloured the image, and cut away all the background. I layered it onto gold embossed paper, then trimmed it to the image frame. I then decided to layer it on another piece of gold, so it gives a very subtle layer. Matted on dark green, it is fixded onto a pearlised cardbase. The rhinestones fixed into the corner cover similar shapes in the image design...

Thanks for peepin'!

Heart Journal - Sandy Sunshine W2

2011-08-04T21:12:00.001+10:00

When I saw the theme for this week at the Heart Journalling project at The Greeting Farm, I knew that I had to focus on my honeymoon.... we spent several weeks lazing around the beaches and delights in the pacific paradise of Samoa.

I've never been a beachgoing person, so I've no idea how I ended up in Samoa for my honeymoon. But it was paradise. I can recall moments as if they happened yesterday, and I would love to visit again. Although these aren't pictures I took myself, we spent a lot of time at Lalomanu Beach... I can remember sitting in a fale (the huts) just watching the beach and water... and then I could hear my husband walking the beach singing the theme song to "Gilligan's Island" .... good grief!

I made reference to Robert Louis Stevenson here, as he spent his last years living in Samoa. We spent quite some time at his home, Vailima, and walking the gardens. I've always love his written works, so it was humbling and special to walk where he did. Our first prayer and the grace we shared at our Wedding Breakfast were chosen from his prayers and writings....

I really detest my handwriting. So I share these pages with a grimace. I added a canvas texture and distress frame before printing these photos on watercolour paper. Other than matting the pictures, all I did was take my Clear Star Stardust pen, and add glitter to the water, the tree, and the writing in the sand. Oh, and a sentiment rub-on to the left.... if only I could write that neatly! Oh, and that brown round thing in the photo on the right, is a coconut.... they roam the beaches freely you know....

Thanks for peepin'!

Caterpillar Celebrations!

2011-08-04T15:43:00.004+10:00

How hard was it to choose an image to create with for the Designed2Delight progressive challenge this week! My wish list is even longer now.... I ended up choosing a fun little fellow ... Celebrating Caterpillar....

Ingredients: Cardstock - Portacraft; Stardust Glitter Pens, Glaze Pens - Sakura; Black Signo; Chalks - Pebbles Inc.

I can't believe that I have created a card without rhinestones or pearls or any other associated bling! I rarely make flat cards. Today is a flat one, embellishment free, even, but that's what screamed out to me with this image... clean and crisp, and uncluttered. I coloured with glitter pens, accented with glaze pen, and backgrounded with chalks, just for a hint of colour. Faux stitches around the outer finished the card. I should do more large framed images more often, because I love their simplicity!

Also entered in these challenges:
Celebrate The Occasion #24 - Kid's Birthday (8/8)
Kaboodle Doodles - #78 In the Garden (8/8)
Party Time Tuesdays - #27 Birthdays (9/8)
Lil' Red Wagon - #92 Put a Critter on it! (10/8)
Kelley Kids - #1 Anything Goes (10/8)
Ambers Crafts and Stuff - #21 Sparkly and Shine (9/8)

Thanks for peepin'!

You love my blog, I love your blog!

2011-08-04T10:25:00.000+10:00

awww shucks.... Alison of StretchNBubbles fame... dear friend... has passed on the Liebster Blog Award to me.... isn't she precious! THANK YOU!

The conditions of this blog award are nice and simple:

1 - Create a post on your blog and post about the award

2 - Link back to the person who gave you the award, and say if you accept

3 - Choose 3-5 of your favourite blogs to tag, link these in your post, and let them know too!

The aim of this award is to bring unknown good blogs to light, so please don't tag someone with 300+ followers.

So I am going to share this award with:

Annie at DigiMyWorld
Ali at Aqualegia's Escape

Helen at Tomorrow's Treasure
Marcy at The Ardent Scrapper
Marie at Kompis Kort by MI

Girls, even if you don't take on blog awards, still see this is a gift of admiration and my amazement of your creativity and everyday super-person-ness!

Thanks for peepin'!

Well, Digi My World! Anything Goes at For Fun Challenges!

2011-08-04T09:32:00.004+10:00

This week I get to share an obsession of mine... Digi My World images! I'm lucky enough to be on the Design Team at Digi My World, so I'm thrilled to say that they are sponsoring our ANYTHING GOES challenge at For Fun Challenges!

Digi My World opened its doors in April 2011. It was created by Annie Kelly, a self taught artist, crafter and web designer... who has always dabbled in doodling and creating, whatever the craft, from drawing, painting, sewing, doll and pattern making! All Digi My World digital stamps and clip art are original creations, inspired by the most random and silly things. A long car trip can provide Annie with 7 -10 new mini collection ideas ... it is a wondrous feeling being inspired by the simple things in life! If you are in need of some adorable and original images, please make sure to visit Digi My World. I hope it brings a smile to your face!

The design team created with wonderful images, from a variety of DMW sets.... I used #2 from the Asian Cuties set....

Ingredients: Cardstock - Kaszazz; Papers - Portacraft, Mag freebies; Markers - Marvy Le Plume; Stardust Pens - Sakura; Pearls, Rhinestones, Rubon sentiment - Kaisercraft; Brads - Inque Boutique; Earrings (made by me) - earwires, eyepin, cat's eye chips, chinese coin charm....

I printed this Asian Cutie image twice - on white card for colouring, and on decorative paper. I have made the image 3D using the base layer, adding the kimono, and ricebowl and hand on top. I coloured mostly with stardust pens, adding detail to the kimono, chopsticks, and hair....oh, I used glaze pen for the ricebowl so it looks a little glossy!

In creating the paper layers I used strips to make the vertical accent, and all the aqua/blue you see is from the same paper - a lovely distressed pattern, so it varies all over! I created a double sided paper ribbon by adhering two strips together, and tied a knot in it ... with it fixed to the card, the knot made a perfect place to dangle the earrings from, and after taking the earrings from the card, the card still looks complete!

Enter the Blog Candy Here!

Do go visit Digi My World ... we've a fabulous blog candy happening until August 10, and there are TWO prizes! It's easy to enter, so follow my link over and join in!

Our challenge at For Fun - ANYTHING GOES! And it doesn't have to be paper crafted! Come on over, and join in the fun!

I have also entered this creation into these challenges:
Crafts And Me - #46 Anything Goes
Digistamps 4 Joy - International Children's Day
Thanks for peepin'!

Stitched Flower

2011-08-01T14:15:00.001+10:00

This is one of my favourite images from StretchNBubbles.... I've used it repeatedly ... thank goodness digi images don't wear out! I have noticed that in this wonderfully icy Aussie winter we're enduring, I've been using a lot of warm summery colours in my latest creations.... must be a subliminal message to myself to try and keep warm ... we've been forecast a winter heatwave of 17 degrees celcius today... that's SPRING weather ... mind you it's so overcast, I can't see a patch of blue sky!

Ingredients: Cardstock - Terra Nova, DCWV; Markers - Aqua Promarkers; Stardust Glitter Pens, Glaze Pen - Sakura; Embroidery Thread - DMC; Mini Brads - Inque Boutique; Latte Pearls - Kaisercraft; Ribbons - Cherry...

I printed the image, twice, colouring the leaf on the base image, and the flower head on the other. I trimmed the flower head, and coloured the flower and leaf, adding glaze pen to the button centre, for dimension. I then set to all the stitching... the flower head, then the stem and leaf. The flower head was then fixed over the image, and I stitched a line frame around it. The image layer is fixed with mini brads on top of glitter embossed DCWV cardstock, and orange. I added two strips of ribbon, and the trimmed twill ribbon words. I then filled the space with strips of latte coloured pearls...

I've entered my Stitched Flower into these challenges:
Craft Your Days Away #25 Summertime (4/8)
Do You Stack Up #30 Orange, Yellow, Brown (3/8)
Easy Craft Projects #43 Summer (5/8)
Paper Creators Crafts #4 Say it with Flowers (12/8)
Patties Creations #27 Stitching - Faux or Real ((12/8)

Thanks for peepin'!

Getting Ready for the Holidays MPS Blog Hop!

2011-07-30T15:53:00.020+10:00

Welcome, and thanks for visiting my corner of the world on this Getting Ready for the Holidays Blog Hop, hosted by the Michelle Perkett Studio! Did you drop by here from Michelle's Blog (the start of the hop)? You can follow this link and start a the beginning... and you'll be back here in a minute!

I'm showcasing Halloween... it's not a holiday celebrated much in Australia, as we're in the wrong season for Halloween in the southern hemisphere, but I do love the spookiness and witchiness of the season anyway! My creation here uses the Trick or Treat Word stamp, and features Candy the Sweet Halloween Witch...

Ingredients: Cardbase - Terra Nova; Cardstock - Core'dinations Black Magic "Hocus Pocus"; Paper - Porta Craft; Glitter Pens; Brown Metallic Pen; Black Signo pen; Black Pearls, Orange Rhinestones - Kaisercraft...

I coloured with glitter pens, and used metallic brown for the broom and witch's hair. She sat aside while I tended to the hat..... I crudely cut the hat from Core'dinations Black Magic cardstock (coloured textured cardstock with a black top coat)... and scruffed it with sandpaper, focussing on the edges. I created a hatband with the Trick or Treat word stamp, and added faux stitching with black glitter pen.

I cut two square layers of purple textured paper, and of the Black Magic CS, and scruffed it with sandpaper to remove a lot of the black. After fixing the layers and images to the cardbase, I added rhinestones, and then introduced some spiders using black pearls and pen detail on the sanded layer... there is also a spider at the witch's feet, but the detail isn't very clear, as the hat doesn't wear as much sanding...

One lucky visitor to my blog will win the Candy the Sweet Halloween Witch image, just for taking part in the holiday hop, and for leaving a comment here.... so do remember to say G'Day, and leave me a comment so I know you've visited me, along with a way contacting you, if the Good Luck witch taps you on the shoulder! I'll draw my lucky winner on my Sunday evening, and announce shortly after. Other hosting hoppers have giveeaways too... so visit everyone to find them all....

Do enjoy your tour, and thanks for taking part in our Getting Ready for the Holidays Blog Hop! Your next host on the hop is Irene... she will have something special for you...

edit 1 August: Congratulations Ali, who was the random draw winner of this MPS image... the prize has been collected ... and congratulations to all the other winners too!

Heart Journal - Spread Your Wings W1

2011-07-30T14:05:00.001+10:00

I'm participating in the Heart Journal adventure at The Greeting Farm! Weekly journalling challenges should be a real trip for me, since journalling is not my forte.... words maybe, but I really detest my handwriting, so this will indeed be a journey! Here is my first offering, with our theme being "Spread Your Wings" ...

What did I do? I digi stamped a McMahon Five Butterfly in different colours and sizes, onto pages of an old story book. Lots of cutting ensued. And pasting. The journal tags/labels are photo printed, so they are lovely and glossy, a stark contrast to the yellow beaten text butterflies.. I fiddled and doodled with a pen to fill the white space.

My journalling consists of single words that represent me 'spreading my wings' by how I might describe myself, what I might see in the world, what is important and precious to me (and I limited myself to the word tags that were already printed.

Oh, and this cluttered representation is way out of my comfort zone. I am always structured, even if casual. This was FUN!!!

My journal is a 6x6 inch watercolour spiral bound book. At the moment it's cover is 'naked' so I'll be working on covers and the next challenge this coming week. I enjoyed creating this page...and thanks TGF for encouraging us to create outside our comfort zone. There's no reason why you can't join us for the journal ride.... visit TGF each week to see what we are creating, and create along with us!

Thanks for peepin'!

Australian Christmas in July

2011-07-29T09:53:00.000+10:00

This week at Designed 2 Delight Digital Stamps the progressive challenge image is a Christmas Snowman.... I always think snowmen are a real hoot, because we can't have them at Christmas in Australia..... being in the middle of our summer, we have no snow at Christmas! So I thought ......

As a child, we spent many Christmases in the mountains while my Dad was on Fire Watch duty... fantastic being on a rocky mountain peak overlooking valleys and mounts.... and we also spent a lot of time at our local lake, so what better to do than make a snowman from SAND! So here is mine.... a sandy snowman!

Ingredients: Cardstock - Kaszazz, Portacraft; Gold Embossed Paper - UBL; Markers - Promarker Aqua; Glitter Pens; Copper Distressed Stickles; Rhinestones - Kaisercraft; Satin Ribbons...

I coloured the image with an Aquash water pen and Aqua Promarkers in Light Sienna and Sepia. Loved the way it turned out! I added Copper Distressed Stickles to the giftwrapped snowballs, and glitter pen for all the other colour accents. I layered on brown, gold embossed, and brown matt, then wrapped a flat brown ribbon, then a gold-er ribbon, that I had tied a knot on with a shorter ribbon piece.

I'm happy with this card, as it came together quickly.... I think I'll have to make some more! Thanks for peepin'!

Holiday Hop is happening!

2011-07-28T16:36:00.000+10:00

This is a sticky post: please scroll down for recent posts!

Click Here to join our Holiday Hop!

There is still time to join in our holiday hop .... read on!

We know a lot of you love Christmas in July and love to get ready your holiday cards early (I make a start at least!). We would love you to join us for our "Getting Ready For the Holidays" Blog Hop, Saturday, July 30th... hosted by Michelle Perkett's Studio.

Along with Christmas we'd love to see other holidays ... Halloween and Thanksgiving, its your choice... share your favourite holiday with us for our Blog Hop!

Michelle has even made a digi image freebie for you all to use for our blog hop ...

To join us, click the link below the badge (on the right) and just add a comment to this post with your name and your blog link!

Visit the MPS freebie post to collect "Arthur".... and do come along on our holiday hop!

Sandy Beaches...

2011-07-28T07:57:00.001+10:00

I think it's a hoot ... all this talk about summer, sand and beaches, when I'm in the thick of a cold wet winter! I'm sure all the challenges with summer themes are keeping my toes warm somehow, even if only in my mind!

Visit The Paper Shelter here

This week at For Fun Challenges, our theme is Sand.... Beaches..... we want to see sand on your creation ...be it the image, texture, or even real sand! This week, we have The Paper Shelter back to sponsor us again, woohoo! The winner of the challenge will receive a $15 gift certificate at The Paper Shelter shop - awesome!

Here is my creation for you this week, combining two TPS images.....

Ingredients: Cardstock - Terra Nova, Kaszazz; Papers - UPL, magazine freebie; Markers - Promarker Aqua, Marvy Le Plume; Glitter Pens, Gel Pens - Sakura; Gold Sentiment Sticker - Upikit; Rhinestones - Kaisercraft; Tiny Feathers...

After colouring my images, I did lots of fussy cutting - I also cut the girl/sand image to lift the sand with foam tape, so she appears too be behind the sandcastle... The toucan is 3D... I printed his beak and some leaves twice, and they are also lifted with foam tape.

Such fabulous images... the DT had a ball creating this week.... do go see what we created at the For Fun Challenges blog, then put in your entry.... we'd love to see your creations!

Thanks for peepin'!