Got the 'Blues'

This weeks Twisted Sister Challenge is to make a Valentine card but NOT using pink or red.  this is not hard with so many gorgeous colours available to us.  I made not one but THREE cards for this challenge - I got carried away colouring! LOL!

 I went for this gorgeous shade of blue, which is not showing up well in the photos - don't know why, but have given up and posting it as is the close up photo is truer to colour!.  I have used a lot of RAK's with this one, I am trying to use more of the gifts I have been sent - so this really is a card full of "LUV!"

The image is from a Blog Candy that I won from Pauline C.....a year's supply of Penny Black Images aloong with some other gorgeous Candy...thanks Pauline - I do use them and love it, but just don't get to it each week!  I have coloured it with chalks and added Kindy Glitz plus a small gem in the centre of each - the gems are from one of my Twisted Sisters, Denna (aka Moonrise)

The DP was won from Steph for being the first to comment on her post (Yay!!) it has been embossed and cut into four, sponged around the edges and layered into plain DP.  The ribbon from my SU Demo and friend Ann, the lace in a  RAK from my stamping friend Maxine (aka Kiwime).  But the sentiment and Windows Slot Punch is mine!!

This was a quick and easy card, I made it waiting for my DD1 to come home from a concert in Sydney...she had gone with the youth Group, overnight and I had to keep myself busy waiting for her to come home...LOL!  I actually started using the sketch from the CCEE challenge and went from memory as my DD2 was on my laptop looking for a new hairstyle - when I had finished the card I was amazed to see that I had got it backwards - the sketch has a square at the front and circles behind - I will link it anyway, seeing as it inspired me! LOL!

I am linking this to the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge where we are to be inspired by letter 'p' - I have petals and a punch...and some paper (LOL!)
Creative Inspiration Challenge - feminine
Your Next Stamp Challenges - anything that sparkles - Kindy Glitz and Gems
Cute Card Thursday - Blooming gorgeous
Cooking It Up with Kate - Use a "non human" image, texture and use a product you've never used before - this image from Pauline counts for that!

Raise the Bar - the Gift that Keeps on Giving - everything sent in RAK's - most of this card! LOL!

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 My second card is  made with Mo's Digital Pencil images and are such fun to work with.  I love this Bella & Bronte image, my daughter was horrified to hear that the dog was the one called Bronte!  They are so cute, there is something about the shape of Mo's Digital Pencil images that I just love, it makes them irresistible!

I coloured the image with chalks and a blender pen, distressed all of the edges and added the sentiment from Kaiser!

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My next card is also for the  Crafty Creations Challenge, where they are celebrating theirt first Anniversay!  well done Crafty Creations girls - what fun, you have brought us such a variery of challenges in your first year - I am looking forward to the next year!!!

Bella and Bronte has also been coloured with chalks and I have used a gel pen on the swirls on her dress, to highlight them, they have lots of sparkle IRL!! 

Thanks for looking for being so patient and for your fabulous comments, I love seeing that you have been!  It is Saturday here and looks like it is going to be HOT, I hope those of you who are in the cold are managing to keep safe and warm and for those of you heading for a HOT one - don't forget to stay out of the heat and drink lots of water!!  God bless you! 

SSCC Mum & Kids

Thank you to all of you who made such lovely comments both here on my Blog and on the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge last week when I represented Layers of Color as Guest Designer.  I was very touched by your lovely comments, they mean so much to me.  I so appreciate the love and support you have shown - thank you!  {{{hugs}}}

This weeks Stampin' Sisters in Christ is brought to us by PeggySue, the scripture we are given is:

 "For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God."  1 Peter 1:23 (NIV)

For this challenge, since most seeds come up as tiny green shoots, use the color green somewhere in our creation, not all over green, just a touch somewhere.

I have created a double layout this time, it has been a while since I have done one and it fitted well with this weeks challenge!  I do have at say that there is probably a bit more green that I had first envisaged, but all in all I am happy with it! 

The DP is a feature, I have noticed that I love using DP as the base that I build my layout on, it just doesn't feel right with plain CS, but I may surprise myself one day!  The fabulous lettering was given to me by my DH - he saw it when he was out one day - they started off a pale lemon with a aqua swirls, but as I was sponging around the edges I really liked the way the Old Olive caught on the raised swirls, so ribbed the dauber over all of the letter...I love the 'vintage' feel they have taken on.  Three added gems finished off the word 'Mum' nicely - a girl's gotta have her BLING! LOL

 

I used a stamp from the Layers of Color art stamp set Fleur Heart on the left hand scallops, these have been coloured with chalks and had Kindy Glitz added.  Even though these images are only small, they definitely add so much to the layout - it can be the littlest things that add so much - this is definitely the case here!!

The next page has DP from the same set.  I actually started these at my Scrapbooking night, which is once a month.  My SU Demo and friend Ann runs a fabulous class - I am always inspired by Ann's work and she has so much patience with us all....I don't think there is a night that I have come home with a finished project BUT I do always finish them!!

The sentiments are Rub Ons from Kaiser, makes the journalling side of things so easy!!  I have used a lot of tearing and sponging on these pages, it is a favourite look of mine and as I look through my album I see it on nearly every page.

The gorgeous flowers are part of a RAK from my dear stamping friend, Sabrina (aka okimom2girlz) I love these and have used different sizes and added a variety of brads.  the leaves are from the Layers of Color art stamp set Flowering Gems- these have been chalked and had a light tough of Kindy Glitz added...I love using stamping on my layouts and the leaves fitted perfectly with these flowers.

How true is that sentiment...our children are like tender young plants that we 'tend' for a time.  It is an adventure watching them grow and take on their own personalities and become the unique people that God made them to be.  I am sure that each of us had no idea what it would really be like to 'grow' our children, in all honesty, they have probably 'grown' me as much as I have them.  They have made us laugh and made us cry but filled our heart with so much joy - I am grateful to God for blessing me with these beautiful people, to be part of their lives has been my calling in life.  I look at these photos, taken at the end of a long day out and I know that I have loved and been loved - they are a blessing to my DH and I - I am proud and honoured to be called 'Mum!'

Thank you for stopping by and for your encouraging comments.  I love knowing that you have been, you know it makes my day!  God bless you!!  {{{hugs}}}

MMTPT78 Let your 'hair down!'

It's Mothermark's TeaParty time again and it is a case of 'never a dull moment! ' It seems that this week Rapunzel has just about had it with all the attention her hair gets. She's asked us to bring some attention to her new salon as her marketing efforts have failed. Well, we know what makes a hair salon successful! Gossip and plenty of it! All we have to do is show up for Rapunzle's offering of tea, goodies, free haircuts or color and partake in a little idle gossip to get that Salon happening - so I am doing my best to help out and am having the 'full treatment' at the Salon - and that in itself is enough to start the odd rumour or two! 

I have used this adorable image from my Twisted Sister Pat Smethers, not that this gal (or Pat) needs any kind of improvement - with all that I have read on different cards in the gallery, I am sure I will need to be  relaxed and fully alert for this Tea Party...but...pssst.....I did hear a little rumour while I was 'chilling out' apparently there is one among us who also goes by the name of 'Chapstick', I happened to unexpectedly get my hands on one of the 'said' chapsticks in one of the generous RAK's this gal sends out to so many stampers - seems she forgot herself and it dropped into the envelope addressed to me  - not a problem until I got to Customs and the 'sniffer dogs' detected something illegal.....none other than Botox - shock horror!

 Could it be that this damsel has 'spiked' her lipstick in an effort to fool us all and keep those ruby red lips of hers 'kissable' in the endless persuit of her beau, OR is young Rapunzel is selling the stuff in an attempt to have more than 'hair' happening....needless to say, the damsels are flocking at the door to get the stuff - gotta keep those lips gorgeous and oh so kissable!!  You never know when your Prince Charmng will come along - oh, wrong fairy tale...rats!!  But you know how is goes - 'think Steel Magnolia's' Cindy told us - dar-r-r-ling - Julia Roberts has nothing on this lot here!!  Take a number Julia!!!

I am linking this card to Crazy4Challenges - pink colour scheme

The Die Cuts R Us Challenge - ribbon  - runs underneath the image and is threaded through the button on the flower.
Creative Inspirations Challenge - feminine
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge -  be inspired by the letter P... pink, pearls, purple, punches, and piercing...

Now, if I could just have some peace and quiet so I can finish off this massage....see you when I am through - thanks for coming and for the fabulous gossip - opps I mean comments, you leave me - I appreciate it!! 

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What a lovely surpise to find this Award from one of my my dear blogging friends,  Lori

Thank you Lori for honouring me with this award, you are always so sweet, I love your visits to my blog and appreciate your encouraging comments.  you are one of the peope that make blogging a great place to be.  Now, I need to list 10 things that bring me pleasure and send this on to 10 friends. Here we go....

1. My faith and relationship with God

2. My wonderful family, I am blessed to have such a supportive husband who truly is my best friend - my life would be sad without him in it - he completes me!!  My kids are great kids, like all kids, they have their moments, but their hearts are wonderful!

3. Our animals - and we have so many - 2 dogs, 9 chickens (all with names) 12  budgies, 3 cockatiels (one is my tame one who often cardmakes with me) and a fish.

4. Cardmaking of course, complete with BLOGGING!

5. My friends whether here with me or online - I love you all, you make my life richer!!

6. Clean sheets that have been dried in the sunshine, sliding into them after a shower - sheer pleasure - this is richness at it's fullest.

7. Being with my Siblings and New Zealand family, what a great feeling, I am blessed to come from a family that is close and we are many!!  I love them all and miss them like CRAZY!

8. Coffee

9. A good thunder storm - we don't get too many here, so when they come, we love them!  Nothing like frangrance after the rain.

10.  Getting mail - I love the sound of the postman stopping to bring me mail from friends - it brings me such pleasure - but don't like the WINDOW ones - very YUCKY!!

I have looked around for 10 people who inspire me and just can't pick 10...each one of you inspire me in some way, so I am asking you to please take this Award from me, this is not the easy way out, but every one of you I visit inspire me in one way or another...and then there are the new blogs I will visit today...so please enjoy it and know it comes from my heart! 

Australia Day Celebrations

January 26 is Australia Day and this year we decided to make the effort to go and PARTY - we are so glad we did.  The whole family got up early, much to the kids horror, and headed in to Lake Burleigh Griffin for the BIG BREAKFAST  and the celebrations that followed it. Come and share some of the highlights with us....it wouldn't be right to invite you without introducing you to the family...

Starting with us girls.....

and the boys...

this is a rare moment getting all three kids into one photo - and smiling too!

The raising of the Australian Flag by the Defence Forces

Up she goes....shame there was no wind!

Overhead 3 FA18's did a 'Fly Over' which was both spectacular and LOUD, I did take a photo but they were so quick all I got was the sky.  As they flew over head the gentleman next to me called out 'that's my grandson flying the one on the right!'  He was so proud and then proceeded to tell us that it takes them 15 minutes to get from the RAAF Base in Williamstown to Canberra - it is a 5 hour drive!! Can you imagine that - it would certainly change international travel - look out America - here I come! LOL!

Look who came to personally welcome us...our Prime Minster Mr Kevin Rudd - while he was there he also attended the Citizenship Ceremony for those becoming Australians - great of him to multi-task!! LOL!

A special guest was wandering around among the crowds, this beautiful 6 year old Alpaca by the name of Honey - she visits sick patients and the elderly, how gorgeous is she!!  She certainly won the heart of my DH - I had better watch him! LOL!

These photos are only a glimpse of the day, you can see so many more here - yes there is one of the Fly Over - it is worth checking out!

Thank you for stopping by, I hope you enoyed sharing in our day.  I have to say it made me feel patriotic - not bad for a New Zealand girl living here! LOL!  I guess one day I will be one of those being naturalised - sounds painful to me! LOL!  And Mum, if you read this - don't worry in my heart I was singing 'God Defend New Zealand!'  LOL!  Settle down all of the Aussies - I love Australia, it is a FABULOUS - 'Advance Australia Fair!!'   Okay time to finish before I start an International incident! LOL! {{{hugs}}}

MMSC38 Vintage Pearls & Lace

The Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge - it can't some around quick enough for me.  But before I show you my card I would like to wish all of the Australians a

and what a beautiful day it is here in Canberra, the Nations Capital.  Our family went into the BIG BREAKFAST and Australia Day Celebrations early this morning which included a Flag Raising Ceremony in on Lake Burliegh Griffin - it was amazing!  I will post some photos tomorrow - make sure you check back and see Australia's 'best kept secret!' - Canberra!

Now - onto the MMSC - this week I am using an image from our monthly sponsor, who happens to be one of our very own DT sisters - Jeni - I love this vintage image, Estella, she is just so beautiful to colour and makes a card gorgeous without too much effort on my part!! LOL!

I have paired her with some gorgeous DP from Graphics45, I only have a TINY bit of it and I use it sparingly...The torn corners are from my endless supply of scraps, which I always think I should just throw out, but they come in so handy for corners and those little extras that we don't want to cut into a new sheet for - I definitely need a bigger cupboard! LOL!

I have stamped her twice, colouring her with my SU Chalks and Blender Pen, then cut out her head and the ruffles on her dress on the second one image, popping them up on foam dots for a bit of dimension.  A couple of flourishes have been added each side of the circle.

The recycled crochet lace has been embellished with small blacks gems, it never ceases to amaze me what a difference something so small can make, they made such a difference.  You can also see the layering of the ruffle in this photo and the slight shimmer from the Kindy Glitz.

Flowers have been tucked into the top of the circle with the larger black gems sitting onto the circle, I like the effect this has.

So there you have it and before I show you this weeks sketch - which I know you are ALL 'busting' to see, I have to tell you that when I went to open this card I realised that I had attached it all backwards and the card opened the wrong way - how many times have you one that! LOL!  I am hoping I have fixed that before you are seeing this card!!

Well, enough of me and here is this weeks sketch - how much fun is this!! We got a great response to our “Your Choice” sketch selection last week so we are going to keep this trial going for a little longer. So check over at the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge to see 'YOUR CHOICE'   I am looking forward to seeing what YOU do - let's see who can't resist pushing that button! LOL!

This Month's sponsor is:

D'Amour Allure

Our Weekly Sponsor is:

Congratualtions to:

Queen Kat Designs Stamp Co.

The gold Star Winner

#14 Laney

The Remarkables:

#15 pam124
#30 Linda W
#51 Melissa

Well done ladies, don't forget to grab the logo and pop it onto your sidebar!!

And a BIG welcome to our February Guest Diva - Cheryl aka CherCroppin', congratulations Cheryl - we are looking forward to working with you!!

 We have such wonderful Divas each month and always look forward to working with the next one. We would like to take this time to thank our current Guest Diva and my dear friend, Grace for a wonderful month of fabulous cards and she has a special treat for everyone tomorrow. So check back in for a fun tutorial from her.

If you are interested in being our next Diva, we would love to hear from you, you can leave us a comment on the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge Blog.

Thank you for stopping by and for those lovely comments you leave me, I just love meeting you all and the friendships that we make along the way!!  You are amazing!!!  Don't forget that Priscilla is giving a 'Sneak Peek' of next weeks sketch on Fridays - to get it you just have to click on the 'SNEAK PEEK" button on the right hand sidebar!!  God bless you!  {{{hugs}}}

Just 4 You

I guess it wouldn't surprise you to hear I am late again for the Twisted Sister Challenge - and I was doing so well too, but what can you do - you may have to 'brace yourself' for my next comment...ready....here goes...'there is life outside of stamping' ( I can't believe I just said that) and sometimes we have to prioritize!!  Anyway, enough of that....

This card is for the Twisted Sister Challenge where we are to make a card with number 4 on it, from memory it is a Valentine card.  I have used this gorgeous Anya, sent to me in a RAK from my Twisted Sister Peggy (aka Marilyn Prestonn) Thanks Peggy - this is the first Anya I have coloured - I hope I am doing okay with it...she is adorable!! That number 4 nearly didn't make it onto the card -  I have added it into the sentiment on the photo corner -  have to be honest and say I was about to photograph this card and then realised - I wrote it by hand, but may change that after - I am not fussed on my handwriting - it lets the card down. in my opinion.

I chalked the image, distressing the edges and sponging with Tim Holtz Tattered Rose Distressing Ink and then rubbing the SU Old Olive Ink Pad around the edges to defne them a bit more and not make the pink so stark!  I have attached it onto layered DP using the CCEE Stampers sketch, which I really enjoyed doing.

The bow has been made with Bow-Easy using lace, I am getting more confident with it - I guess the more you use it the better you get - lace is very 'forgiving!'  I have secured it with a button brad, adding a sponged flower to the top corner and also adding a button brad.

I am linking this to the Creative Inspirations Challenge - Distressing

Cupcake Craft Challenges - Going Girly

Thanks for looking and for you lovely comments, I appreciate your support - blogging would not be fun without you!  I hope you are having a lovely weekend, it started off cool here and we got out into the garden to 'find it' and then it has just gotten hotter as the day has progressed.  We are inside with the air coinditioner on at the moment!!  I hope you are staying cool/or warm, depending on where you are!!  God bless you!

FTTC50 Simply Scenic

This weeks Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge is brought to us by Betty Wright and she has asked us to create a scene with our cards this week.  Creating a scene is no problem for me - doing it with cards is a 'whole 'nother show'! LOL - sorry I could not help myself!!  I knew straight away that I wanted to use this Limited Edition set that I was sent by Flourishes when I was honoured by being one of their Loyal Royals - I love the images in this set and they are perfect for this challenge.

I used the last piece of sky DP that I had left and stamped the image into it with SU True Thyme and the sun was sponged with the negative from a punched circle .  I added a strip of sponged DP along the base of the image.  The corner has been clipped with a small circle punch and then the image is layered into white distressed CS that has been sponged with True Thyme.  A strip of ribbon has been added and a length of embossed border has been inked distressed and sponged.

As tempted as the eclectic in me was to add more, I felt that the card was finished and decided that this is definitely one of those times when 'Less is More' This is as close to CAS as I get!

I am linking this to the Creative Inspirations Challenge - Distressing
Tuesday Taggers Challenge - Leftovers - the CB edge is leftover from another card, the DP is also leftover and the ribbon is one of those offcuts that just sit there forever!! I think this qualifies!

Thank you for visiting and those lovely comments you leave me - you know I love to see that you have been!!  God bless you!

SSCC Guest Designer

Today I am honoured to be the Guest Designer over the Stampin' Sisters in Christ, representing Layers of Color, who are sponsoring this weeks challenge.  What an honour, you know I love the faith based challenges, they are so inspiring and what could be better than being inspired by the Word of God AND stamping - Heaven on earth! LOL!

The scripture this week is one we hear often and can probably quote by heart - this is something I am challenged by often and that is not just to know it BY heart but IN my heart, that is is not just a fact in my heart but a truth in my heart - something that is a reality in my life.

Joshua 24:15 As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

I made this card but after a comment Kristine made I will probably use it as a Wall Hanging.  I typed the scripture in my favourite font, Telegraph, on the computer and printed it onto white CS then cut it out in the shape of a cross, distressing the edges and sponging - I love how this turned out, so rustic.  I popped it up on 3D foam dots and layered it onto the embossed black CS.  I have used lots of layering, distressing and sponging with this card.

I used the Layers of Color art stamp set Merci Bouquet, which is this weeks prize by the way, these have been coloured with chalks and had Kindy Glitz added lightly to the centres.  I then cut the images out and attached them to the two opposite corners.  On the the other corners I have used the wood paper that I was sent in a RAK from one of my Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge Sisters Sue MacMahon from McMahon Five Designs- you can read all about it here.

As you will have seen I have also added these gorgeous wings from the Layers of Color art stamp set Regal Wings - I am showing you this close up so you can see how they have been coloured with Chalks and what a difference that little but of Kindy Glitz has added.

The final touch is the hardware that is added with the scripture address and the cross attached with gold thread.

I am linking this to the Creative Inspirations Challenge - distressing

Thank you for looking and for the encouraging comments you leave me, I love knowing you have visited.  You can click here and see all of the cards the Stampin' Sisters in Christ DT have created and even play along yourself, I would love to see what you create.  Layers of Color also has many cards in the Gallery to inspire you with these stunning sets!  God bless you all!

MMTPT Breakfast at Tiffany's

Mothermarks's TeaParty is on this week and we are doing it in style...yes, we are having 'Breakfast at Tiffanys'... wahoo...that is one fancy location for the TeaPartyers.  These Teaparty's are stressful, but fun!!!!  We are headed to New York City (5th Avenue). for Breakfast at Tiffany's and that is just the beginning! We are to bring what we enjoy, what makes us  relax, feel pampered, happy and or just oozing pure class! Oh, and one more thing, we were to bring our long skinny cigarette thingy but if its on fire, we would have to come in the back door - well dar-r-r-lings, there is no way I am endorsing smoking, so the long skinny cigarette thing is not at all in the equation OR on the card for that matter!

As you can see I have brought along the gorgeous Audrey Hepburn, who is everything classy about Breakfast at Tiffany's...so that alone should get me in the front door.  There was no other way to go with ths card but feminine, yes Miss Hepburn was surely one beautiful lady, so I helped her dress in pink flocked DP and a touch of vintage lace, that has been sprayed with Tattered Angel Glimmer Mist.  The black accents highlight the feminine swirls and touches.  Black gems are the order of the day...look out anyone who gets in the way of this 'Fair Lady' as she makes a comeback (of a miraculous kind) to attend this elegant occassion!

Girls, please try not to spill tea (or your beverage of choice) on Miss Hepburn, she is stunning but delicate...supported by the gorgeous spray of flowers, compliments of Sabrina (aka okimom2girlz) and finished off with a large gem brad and punched branches.

I am linking this to the One Stop Craft Challenge  - fancy edges or corners - it doesn't get much fancier than bling!!

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge - What's New - my flocked DP!!!

Charisma Cardz - Anything New? - The flocked DP!!

DiecutDreams Challenge - Recycled - the lace.

Thank you for stopping by and for those lovely comments you leave me, you make my day and are so encouraging - I appreciate each one of you!  If you get time, please pop over and join us at the TeaParty....you can read all about it here!