Stop Grizzling!!

It is only just over an hour until 2010 is here for me and I could not resist sneaking in one more card for this year and how could I resist this one for MotherMark's TeaParty that is being hosted by Sabrina (aka Cook 22) this week and apparently 'it ain't no picnic!!'  The theme is bears in the forest - owwww - skeery, with trees and no artic scenes...now worries Sabrina - I have it under control!

I took myself to "Craft Central' and went ' bear hunting', I came across this gorgeous Gruffy in a RAK from my sistah Pat Smethers - thanks Pat - you have saved the day many times!  Now you may think that this Gruffie is skiing - but hey, hold on there - we are in Australia and it is SUMMER - we are Grass skiing dar-r-rling- check it out!

As for the trees - 'where are they?' you ask - they are there but you have to look so carefully for them - our Gruffie was so excited about the TeaParty (there was some talk of Sabrina bringing 'mead')  that he grass skiied so fast the leaves came flying off the trees and are blowing around behind him...I also brought a tree with me - as paper is made from trees and these photos have been taken up against a tree - so dar-r-r-lings, I think we have the 'tree thing' covered!! LOL!

It would appear we have been held up - infact we have come to a grinding halt, as you can see on the card - so we have had to send this postcard to show you that we are on our way - inspite of all odds we will make it this week...so keep an eye out for us!  Oh, and I was bringing a Lemon Meringue Pie, but have you ever argued with a hungry bear - me neither and I wasn't about to start now!! LOL!

If you get a chance you could check out the Teaparty here and maybe even come along - it would be great to see you there - if I ever get out of here that is!  LOL!

I am linking this card to the 'If the Shoe Fits' Challenge where we are to use our favourite meduim - chalking for me!
Also for the Charizma Cards Challenge where it is 'Anything but Christmas'
My Time to Craft where 'Anything Goes'
House Mouse Challenge - Winter Wishes - don't we all wish we were grass skiing instead of snow skiing - this comes from a 'non skier!' LOL!Happy New Year to you all - I pray that 2010 will be your best year yet - thank you for all that you have done for me - your friendship, encouragement and support - you are the best!  God bless you!

FS151 Basket Case & C4C Meri...

I have two cards to share with you today -  I could not resist another chance to play along with the Featured Stamper on SCS where Smilyn Stef is being honoured this week.  I love this card with the bicycles  and used this image from the 'Divine Miss M' (aka Stampmuse)

I coloured the image with chalking, using a blender pen and sponged around the edges with Distressing Ink.  It was layered onto black CS and attached to the DP.

Vintage corners were added two two corners, thanks to Lesley (aka SuperNan aka MUM!! LOL) 

The final touch is the strip of lace that has had a small pearl added to each loop along the way.  Oh and two choclate pearls were added to the top left hand corner - just to balance it!!

This also qualifies for If the Shoe Fits Challenge which is using your favoutite medium and colouring - you know I LUV the chalks!!

There you have it - quick and easy - I am happy to day that this is made up of more bits and pieces that have been lying on my desk - what a great feeling to actually see it!  A few more cards and I might have completed the task! I love this faux cleaning!!

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My next card is for this week's Crazy 4 Challenges.  I have used Layers of Color new release set Merci Bouquet, stamping it onto some chipboard that I have had for-eva!!  I coloured it with chalks and added a light touch of Kindy Glitz to the flowers.  A mini pearl is added around the edges of the image!

This has then been sponged with Distressing Inks and attached to the various layers of DP with dimensionals.  I have added lace along the inside edge of the triangular shape of embossed CS, which has been sponged around the edge with distressing ink!

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The sentiment is also from the Layers of Color set Merci Bouquet, I love this font - it is so pretty and suits so many styles of card...I don't know about you BUT I find it hard to find sentiments that suit different styles of cards

I have also linked this card to the Creative Card Crew where anything goes.
Charisma Cardz Challenge where Anything but Christmas is the go!
Magical Craft Fortnightly Challenge - Thank You is the theme.

There you have it - my new additions for today - thanks for calling in and the encouraging comments you leave me - you are such a blessing!  I love these 'cruisy' days I am having...I hope your days are relaxed and you are winding down for the New Year!  God bless you!!

MMSC34 Childhood Memories

Can you believe that this is the last Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge for 2009 AND the first for 2010 - how cool is that!!  I remember when the MMSC was being advertised and we were all intrigued, waiting anxiously for it ti begin - and hasn't it been fun!  I have loved this journey, first as a player and then was delighted to be asked to be a Guest Design Diva and now as A Design Team Member - has to make you wonder what next year holds!

I have used this gorgeous image that was a gift from my dear friend Melinda (aka Melinda80).  I embossed it and then cut it out with an oval and scalloped oval Nestie, sponging around the edges as I went! I have also cut out a bigger embossed Nestie (embossed with the Argyle Folder - thanks to Melinda again!!), sponging around the edges of that.

I used some fibre thread that I had put away to use one day and never did - until now!  I also cut the corners from the embossed CS and then cut those gorgeous corner flourishes - adding come sponging and Nail Bling.  I tried to keep it simple this week...hard for someone who is as eclectic as I am!!  The final touch is the Nail Bling that has been added to the corners.

 

So what are you waiting for - here is the sketch - I am looking forward to seeing what YOU make - you know I will come across and have a look!

Our Gold Star Award for MMSC33 goes to:

#8 Christina C

Our Remarkables goes to:

#1 Peggy Elmes

#18 Gunn aka Ms. Plum

 Thank you to our monthly sponsor:

and our weekly sponsor is:

our very own Priscilla Styles

Priscilla will be providing a stamp set to one lucky winner

Thank you for visiting and for the wonderful comments you leave me - I enjoy reading them and value each one of them!  A special thank you to the Midnight Madness Players who come across and comment - you have made me feel so 'at home' - thank you! I love going to each of your Blogs to see what you have created - you give me so much inspiration!!
 
Thank you too to Priscilla and the Midnight Madness Designers, I have had so much fun and love being part of this amazing Team - I am sure you would all agree with me that these ladies are such a talented group - that beauty that shows up each week on their cards, truly does start within ,with each of these girlz!!  I am honoured to call each of them friend!!  I {{{heart}}} you girlz!! 

HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all

Featured Stamper, SSCC & ABC - Kiss & Tell...

Hello there!  It is a Public Holiday here in Australia - Boxing Day and I have managed to finish off a few projects that I have had on the go for a while and also make these two card to show you.  The first one being for the Featured Stamper on SCS - Smilyn Steph, who each week brings us the Inspiration Challenge.  It was a lot of fun browsing through Steph's gallery - hard to choose a card but I finally chose this card.

I did change a few things, like the DP and the image, I used a whole panel across the middle of the card instead of a smaller rectangle.  I did love the black border each side of the centre panel and went with the Fiskar Punched Border in black.  I have added a strip of lace with glitter on it and added black gems a long the lace!

I used the Our Daily Bread Designs Stamp set that I won on the 'Three for Thee' Release - it is the first time I have inked it and I havr to say I am loving it - the butterfly is darling and the sentiments are gorgeous.  It is the only ODBD set I won and hope to one day change that!

This card is also for the Flutter by Wednesday Challenge for this week.

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This next card is for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge - you know by now that I LOVE the Faith Based Challenges - this week is based on the scripture:

Psalm 25:4-5 "Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long."

Our challenge is to make a New Years Card or project, mindful of asking God to teach us and lead us on the path He has laid for us.

Unconditional Love is something I am wanting to work on this coming year (wellI should be everyday!!) It is easy to love those who love us, or show us kindness, those who are 'lovely' in our sight....so often we put conditions on our love, not always consciously.  I am only too aware there is many a time I have been 'unlovely' in His sight!!   So I am endeavouring to love regardless.....which brings me to the next challenge I am linking this card to The Corrosive Challenge where it is about New years Resolutions.

This card is also for the ABC Challenge - this week is 'K is for Kissing' and how cute are these 'House Mouse'    I used two images I had previously coloured for this card and used the embossing border that my lovely Twisted Sister Lesley (aka Marleygo) sent me as part of a CRAK  I love this border and punched it out with the SU Windows Slot Punch, inked the edges and secured it to the card with these cute little button brads.

These cards were fun to work on - I like to 'change gears' sometime and do things that are not in my usual style - out of my comfort zone!

Thanks for coming by and for those lovely comments you leave me!  I love knowing you have been and love to come and visit you too - I am making a HUGE effort to visit everyone that stops by - I have been so inspired by your Blogs and hope to get there more often this coming year!  Have a great day...and don't forget to check in tomorrow for the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge - we have been doing a bit of Spring Cleaning and you are going to love the 'Easy as 1-2-3' Rules to play along - so c'mon over and check it out - I would love to see you there!  God bless you!

OCC Food or Drink - Easy Peasy!!

This weeks Our Creative Corner Challenge is all about Food and/or Drink - how appropriate after the festive season!!  How could I resist these Emerson gals - you know they are among my favourites - they seem to be right 'into' food and/or drink!  I have made not one but two for this challenge one for food and one for drink!  I have made tham both with left over pieces of DP that 'gather' on the desk - you know how it is!!  I can justify my cardmaking  time as 'cleaning' - ahhh - denial - such a pleasant place to visit! LOL!

This first one, well what can I say - Choc Chip Cookies - we all love them...one leads to two...three...four....I'm not talking cookies, I'm talking DRESS SIZES!! LOL!

I have used the SU Eyelet Punch and lots of bling for this card, colouring the gals with Chalks and using a glitter pen on the cups.

 This one is also coloured with Chalks and I have used the SU Scalloped Border Punch and embossed the DP. The image is cut out with the Labels 1 Nestibilitie.   I do try to keep the layouts simplier as the bling makes up for it - not to mention the ATTITUDE!!

Don't you just love their makeup - looks like they have put it on blind folded! LOL!  Just seems to suit them that way!

These cards also apply for Charisma Cards - Anything but Christmas; and

Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping in and for those great comments you leave me - I appreciate each one and the time it takes you to make them. you make my day!!  I hope you are enjoying the celebrations and not overindulging - unless it is in card making!  LOL!  God bless you!!

LOC Published

I was thrilled to be asked by Patter, another Layers of Color Designer, to make a card for a Colour Challenge that she was hosting on Scrapbook.com, but I have to say it is not a colour combination that I would choose, but that it what makes it a challenge isn't it!  I was hesitant when I started but am happy with the end result.  It is an honour to have this card published, thank you Patter for trusting me with this task!

I used the Layers of Color art stamp set Flowering Gems, which worked beautifully.  The flowers have been coloured with chalk, I then added Kindy Glitz to the blue areas and clear Nail Bling added to finish off shimmer, then cut out the flowers with a scalloped circle punch. The embossed panels have been run through the Cuttlebug with the Pailsey embossing folder and then sponged with Pumpkin Pie ink. These panels are layered onto black CS and then attached to DP.  The final touches are the Die Cut and the black gems.  You can see the sparkle in the flowers in this close up...

Thank you for taking the time to come and visit with me, I appreciate your lovely comments and the encouragement you are so good at giving!!  I hope your day is a good one!  God bless you!

Triple treat

It is late evening on Christmas Day for me and can you believe I have made a card LOL!  Everyone is winding down and I thought 'why not' that is how I unwind - I am sitting in the dining room and the kids are just finishing off watching Christmas movies - so I am kind of there!

This card is for the Twisted Sister Challenge this week, which is to make a Christmas 'Thank You card', so I am good for that, it is also for the Tea Party Challenge where my Twisted Sister Peggy (aka Marilyn Prestonn) is hosting - so had to make it to this one and also for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge where we have a sketch challenge -so we are all good here!

I used a SU image of Gum Blossom that I have had sittng there for ages - it has been coloured with a Blender Pen and Chalks and then has Kindy Glitz added  lightly to the leaves!   The right edge has been torn and then the image layered onto white CS and then Black CS.  This has been layered into the embossed red argyle and a smaller panel of white embossing with the Divine Swirls folder.  I have added this little House Mouse who is on his way to the Tuesday TeaParty  at the Rodent House - as you can see he is bringing a touch of 'Australiana' with him - which explains why we are late - CUSTOMS was not easy to get through - LOL!!  The House Mouse has been popped up on dimensionals.

                                                                                                              

The sentiment circle has  popped up on dimensionals and black gems added as a final touch!  Instead of adding the strip of ribbon across the lower part of the card, I used faux stitching and then decided to carry it all of the way around the edge of the card.

Thank you for stopping by and the encouraging comments - you always make my day - I love knowing that you have been!  For some of you your Christmas Day is just beginning - enjoy and make the most of the moments - for some of us it is quickly coming to an end - and already we have precious memories.  Merry CHRISTmas to you all! God bless you!

LOC 'Chicken'

As soon as the Layers of Color new release sets were sent to me I knew I was going to have to do this page - it was just a matter of when!  The set I am talking about is the Rise & Shine set.

I have made is LayOut for our friends and neighbours whose daughter is the 'star' in these photos.  Some of you know Shanias story and have prayed for her - this dear little thing, who has affectionately become known as 'Chicken' by our family has had 4 Open Heart surgeries before the age of 4.  She has ruled two homes from the minute she arrived....this girl has touched our hearts and sewn herslef right it.  We have  nearly as many photos of her as we do our own children....and I wanted to give her Mum and Dad a 'Work of the Heart' for Christmas!

I used the SU Spiral Punch down the side of the photos and then 'roughed them up' a bit after sponging around all edges.  The photos have been layered onto DP from the same set of Papers and then onto the red torn and 'spiraled' DP!  I also used the Her Majesty's Urns set and placed two of the chickens in one of them - one of the chickens has been popped up on dimensionals.

The Chicken has also deen popped up on dimensionals along with the Martha Stewart Fence Punch.  I used the SU Whimsey Alphabet, sponged around the edges and attached this to the fence. A half flower was added to the end of the fence  and Old World Flourishes added each side of the Mother Hen.

A large Prisma Flower (thank you Sabrina) was layered into another MS Fence which has been stamped with the Flourish from the Nature Walk art stamp set - I have to say love this flourish and have already used it a lot!  I have added a second flower and attached it with a large brad.  I have added touches of red to the flourish with chalks!  I thoroughly enjoyed creating this page - I love the fact that we can create 'treasures' that hold so much meaning and memories!

It is Christmas Eve here and we open one present each Christmas Eve and have our Christmas Dinner - so I am off to prepare veges and all that kind of thing (what a reality check! LOL!)  I did get a stamp set for my present - one from Darkroom door and I am pretty sure I will be making a card with it in the next few days....so I will be seeing you then!!  In  the meantime have a FABULOUS CHRISTmas, enjoy your family and friends, tell those you love how much they mean to you and ENJOY! ENJOY! ENJOY!!  Do take a moment to remember why we celebrate - the greatest gift of all!!  God bless you all....and see you soon!

{{{HUGS}}}}

MMSC33 Party Time

It is time for another Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge - are you ready!?!?  This week has flown by so fast and Christmas is nearly here!!  I am as ready as I am ever going to be - how about you!?!?  Those that are organised among us are already planning for New Year....parties galore!!  Well, okay not in our house - we normally settle in and watch the fireworks in Sydney on TV - they are spectacular on the Sydney Harbour Bridge....we went in one year prior to having our children and that was sensational but once was enough for me! LOL!

I am using this image that was generously sent to me in a RAK from Jakester on SCS after I commented on one of her cards , Terese generously sent me some of these images...thank you Terese, I love it!!  What girl wouldn't love a dress like that (personally I'd like the body to wear a dress like that! LOL!)

I highlighted the image with chalks and used green Distressed Stickles on the black areas but it does not show up at all in the photos.   The edges of each layer have been sponged with distressing ink and layered onto black CS.  The layer with the image on has been 'popped' up on dimensionals.  Small pink pearls have been added to each side of the image.

The DP has been embossed with the Victoria Embossing Folder and sponged.  The ribbon is from a Blog Candy I won from Abby.  I have added pink fibre thread along the middle of each piece of ribbon - now that was a lot fiddlier than I bargained on, but worth it in the end!!  For the final touch I added a piece of sheer ribbon which has been treaded through a pearl buckle.slider.

Without any more chatter - here is this weeks sketch - I am looking forward to seeing what you create!

Our Gold Star Award goes to:

#13 Teri Sherman

The Remarkables are:

#20 Sue Drees

#21 Gunn aka Mrs. Plum

 

A big Thank you to our Monthly Sponsor

And this weeks sponsor:

Priscilla of "Priscillastyles"

Priscilla will be providing a stamp set to one lucky winner

On a personal note:  By now you are either sitting back knowing you are organised OR making those last minute dashes to the shopping centres to get stocking fillers and those YUMBLY treats....this morning my DH and I went up with our son and after entering the Plaza, DH saw something on the floor - bent down to pick it up and have a look and we got the shock of our lives to find the top of a 'hollow point' bullet - it just doesn't happen here - skeery really.  DH gave it to a Security Guard who was equally as shocked .  It makes me grateful for all that I have and reminds me of those who have had tragedy over this past year, through another's hand - we have always had 'Open House' at Christmas, at times our kids found it very hard, but have always had a special Christmas - it goes on for days here!  Coming from a home that had 14  foster children over the years, and having a DH who grew up in a Children's Home with 15 boys...we are more than aware of those whose hearts are 'heavy' at Christmas.

 I am always reminded of my Mum's words when she was asked why she had so many extra's, there were already 5 of us growin up under tough circumstances - Mum just calmly answered, 'we all have each other - they have no-one!'  My prayer is that my home and my heart will never be too full that there is not room for 'one ' more - how sad to be told in this day and age 'No room in the Inn!'

I wish each of you the happiest Christmas yet - may your hearts be filled with love and laughter, your homes be filled with family and friends and your lives overflow with health and happiness!  I personally would like to thank you for making the time to come and visit me on my Blog and for all of the encouragement you have poured out on me - I appreciate each one of you and look forward to the new year where we can get to know each other more and make new friends along the way as we share this amazing passion of ours!  God bless you HEAPS!  {{{HUGS}}}

Art for Art's Sake

This card is for the Featured Stamper over on SCS - Brenda aka Benzi - I had fun looking through her gallery and chose this card to case.  Congratulations Brenda on being chosen as Featured Stamper this week - what a well deserved honour!! I have started chosen to case this card:

There is so much to choose from but as soon as I saw Brenda's card I knew I could use this gorgeous stamp from Innovative Stamp Creations (ISC) that I won months ago and have not had a chance to ink up!!

I have changed the image, embossing it with Black Embossed Powder, I replaced the mongramed circle with a punched and 3D butterfly.  I also added a strip of lace which is part of a RAK from Maxine aka Kiwime alongside the narrow gingham ribbon and added a flower and pearl buckle/slider...and in true 'me' style, I have sponged all of the edges!!
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I do love this stamp and will be using it a lot more, along with the others in the set.....it is one of those that makes it very fast to make a card - and we all love those from time to time - don't we!!!

Thank you for looking and those lovely comments you leave me!!!  I love knowing that you have been!!  Our shopping is finished and we are 'ready to go' with the Christmas celebrations.....but I am sure there is another card to two before then! LOL!  I hope you are all taking the time to relax and enjoy the season and the reason!  God bless you - Happy CHRISTmas!!  {{{hugs}}}!

LOC Beautiful - Ecc 3

Today I have enjoyed just 'cruising' with cardmaking and made this card for the Sketch Challenge on SCS - it has been 'forever' since I have played along, I have been wanting to use one of the scriptures Sabrina (aka okimom2girlz) sent me in a fabulous RAK.

I used the Layers of Color new release set Touch of Elegance to create my own DP, something I don't do too often, but I should -  I am pleased with the way it came out.  Each layer is distressed lightly and sponged with distressing ink - I love the blue and brown colour combination.

 I added Kindy Glitz lightly to each image to make it 'beautiful' as you can see in this close up.  This also qualifies it for The Corrosive Challenge which is all about bling. I have also linked it to the Creative Card Crew Challenge - where anything goes!!  To fit with the SCS sketch I used Vintage Corners which have also been sponged with distressing ink and added them where the triangles are then added Pewter half pearls. 

So here you have it, the result of one relaxing afternoon of feeling neither inspired or not inspired...just 'going with the flow!!  Thank you for visiting and for your lovely comments - you are so very kind - I love seeing that you have been!  It is so close to Christmas I hope that you are able to find the time to relax and enjoy the festivties and to remember why and who we celebrate!  God bless you!!

Doubling Up

I am so happy to have been able to case the Featured Stamper on SCS this week - it is my very dear friend pam124 (and everyone else's very dear friend)  I am so thrilled for Pam and as many of you would know her exceptional cardmaking is only excelled by that gorgeous big heart of hers - Pam is one of the 'darlings' of SCS and I am so blessed to be able to call her friend.  I have chosen this card of Pam's to case - it was a hard choice as they are all fabulous and I am blessed to have a few of them in my 'hot little hands.'  When I sent Pam an email congratulating her, she threw in an extra challenge for me and said she would love to see me case one of hers in my vintage style - well Pam, I have done my best....

How can you not love this image - mine was sent to me by my dear Sistah Pat Smethers and he is just so cute.  I didn't change anything much on Pam's card, just coloured him with different colours, distressed and sponged the edges and did not use the blue CS...oh and used a different sentiment and different ribbon as I did not have the one Pam had used.  Intsead on Pam's signature 'pearls' I used a square jewel for the centre of the snowflake and added Kindy Glitz to it!

As you can see I see Dazzling Diamonds on this little guy - just like Pam  did!!  The sentiment is popped up on dimensionals....so there you have it, a few small changes and you have one 'vintage' case of Pam's gorgeous card - Pam I hope you like this my friend - it will be coming your way!

Now...this is also my Twisted Sister Challenge card for this week, where CarrollAnn had challenged us to only use scissors - no punches - I was feeling pretty smug until I started posting this and then I realised I have used a punch snowflake - now I am hoping that the fact that it was part of a RAK and I didn't actually punch it gets me through - I am sorry girls - there is a reason I have to sit at the back of the Ol' Bus - I break rulz - sigh!!    Everything has been cut with scissors and I even distressed the edges using my scissors...it was fun...and distressing covers a multiple of  'sins' LOL!

I am also adding this to the Our Creative Corner Challenge for this week where the theme is 'Let it Snow'; and
The Something Sweet Challenge #5 where the theme is 'punch it' I am only just in there with this one but the snowflake is punched....phew!! LOL!

Thank you for coming and having a look and for your comments - you know I love seeing that you have been and would hate to have missed you!  It is Saturday morning here and a gorgeous day - I hope your weekend is a happy and blessed one!!  I am posting early as we are going to be wrapping gifts this afternoon and no doubt I will have a few tags to make as I have made NONE!!  Shock: horror !!  God bless you!!