Marked with Love

Hello bloggers!!  I hope you are having a great day - don't you just love weekends - I hope you are getting some time to 'play with paper'....there is nothing more relaxing than that for me!  I have been playing around with a number of projects but unfortunately cannot show you them at this time!!   But I can show you one of the bookmarks I am making.  I have had some requests from neighbours to make some, so this is the first of a number.

When some of my neighbours knew I made cards they asked if they could see them, so I took them up the street last weekend and sold some, I had a great week and sold 37 cards, which makes me happy.  It still amazes me that people would actually want to buy something I make!!

I used a stamp set I had been given my my dear friend and SU Demo Ann, it had not seen ink until this bookmark.  I have seen a lot of creations made with it and decided to get moving - it is perfect for this bookmark.

On the back I used another SU Set,  a Sale-a-bration set from last year - it is perfect for the back - I am thinking of making more of these as they would be very popular in the boutiques I sell my cards....they are also very quick and easy.

I added the Martha Stewart Picket Fence Punch along the bottom (thank you Pat!!) with a piece of gingham ribbon.  Simple and sweet - these are great for that little something you want to pop in a card for someone you are thinking of, or even Mothers's Day, which is coming up here in May.

I am hoping to have more of these to show you soon and also a project I am working on for my DD1 who has a birthday coming up - it is always a challenge to make something she will like, as she is not a papercrafter and 'hand made' does not hold too much appeal for her - but I am determined to make somethng she will like - I won last time with the journal...I am hoping for another 'win!'  I like her to have something from the heart!!

I am linking this to the Totally Gorjuss Challenge - It's for you MUM

Die Cuts R Us - No Designer Paper

Cupcake Craft Challenges - Keep it Simple

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge - Flowers

I am posting this early so I can get things done to get CREATING....wahoo....you gotta love this addiction of ours!!  Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments - you know you make my day! 

{{{HUGS}}}

SSIC Timely

Hello everyone - thank you so much for your lovely comments on my Altered Art Tutorial, I am glad so many of you loved the frame - and how easy is it!??!  I have been happily stamping away and creating some cards that you will get to see in a few weeks....but in the meantime I have created this card for a couple of challenges, both of them important to me - the first being the Twisted Sister Challenge, as we are taking turns to host it and this week is my week, so I thought I had better be on time!!!  I have challenged everyone to use distressing and lace - no surprises there is there!

The second challenge is the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge where this week the scripture is

Esther 4:14 “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this'

Laurie has challenged us to make a card or project using a time piece or in some way denoting time or the passage of time - this was not hard for me - I knew straight away I wanted to use my Nestibilities Watch along with the Layers of Color art stamp set Regal Wings. 

 I have stamped the wings and corwn with Tim Holtz Distressing Ink in Walnut Stain and coloured them with  SU Chalks, using a Blender Pen.  Nail Bling has been added to the crown....I love the size of Nail Bling, it doesn't shout 'look at me, look at me,' but adds that needed touch. 

Layers of Color have a special offer , exclusively for those those who belong to their Group on SNR - you can get a discount on their stamps - they are also offering free digis - you can check it out here!  What are you waiting for  - come on over and join us, we are goign tio have a lot happening over the next few months and would love YOU to be part of it!

The scripture is from the Close to My Heart set 'Make it Count' - this has been distressed and had lace added to the lower edge and Nail Bling added either side of the book of the Bible.

I love this scripture - what a truth, things certainly go in seasons, not just in the world around us but in our lives as well.  Some seasons are easier than others to go through, but one thing we can have confidence of it that every season will come to an end.  I have learned that every season has it's purpose too, we cannot rush them through but allow that which needs to be accomplished to be done, properly and look forward to the beauty and wonders of the next....the one thing that is sure is that it is all in HIS time, He makes all things beautiful in His Time - what a peace there is in knowing that!

I am linking this to the Corrisive Challenge Blog - Wings

Saturday Spotlight with Hidden Potential - Do the Mess Around

Cute Card Thursday - Touch of Metal

Lexis Creations - Anything Goes

SophistiCat Challenge Blog - Embossing

Flutter By Wednesday - Wings

Crafty Creations Challenge - Cut it Out & Pop it UP

Thank you for taking the time to stop by, your comments mean so much to me - you are so supportive and encouraging - thank you!  God bless you!!

{{{hugs}}}

MMSC Altered Frame Tutorial

I am going to show you how to make an altered frame, I have recently discovered  how easy it is and once you see it for yourself, I am sure you are going to want to try it....Before you rush off to buy one, have a look around your home for frames you can paint, my frame is recycled and one of two that I have done!  I have seen so many in the shops and thought to myself  'I can do that'...and now I have and SO CAN YOU!

You will need:

* A painted frame - with a mostly flat surface - this is much better for stamping.

* The stamp sets of your choice - I have used three from Layers of Color **

Acrylic stamps work best for this, as you can actually see where you are placing the image.

* Stazon Ink Pad

* Tim Holtz Distressing Ink Pad ( I have used Walnut stain)

** A flourish is perfect for these frames, it also acts as a great 'filler' although you want to use a number of different images,. 

Lightly sand the painted frame and then choose where you will put your images. 

 Note that Stazon does just that - Stays On! 

Start with a flourish in the top and opposite corners and work from there, this is easiest and once that first flourish is on it just comes together.

I have used the Creative Flourishes  Set from Layers of Color and added it to each corner

The Backyard Birds and smaller flourishes have been added to the other corners in StazOn - don't worry if the image is NOT perfect, this actually works  better with the look we are wanting to achieve.

Using the Distressing Ink, I have used a music image that I have,  remember we are wanting to give a fuller eclectic look rather than crowded - there is a difference!

Now it is time for sponging....with a sponge or dauber and the Distressing Ink

Just start with it light and you can add from there - I have used a Blender Pen to define some areas too, should it be needed.  There is no right and wrong here, you just add until you achieve the look you are wanting.

I have then added a RubOn and then sponged over it,  if you use a sponge or a dauber and lightly go in circular movements you will get the right look - trying to avoid definite lines where the Distressing Ink starts and stops.

Also sponge around the edges of the frame, for me, this makes a big difference.  You can see on the photo below,  I have sponged around the inside edge where the photo goes - it brings the whole look together.

Here is the finished frame - what do you think.  I know it looks like a lot of work, but it is a lot quicker than you think, it is quicker than making a card and so effective! 

I do have to add here that Distressing Ink is not permanent like StazOn, so I have not sealed the frame, it will be fine and should not fade...but will run if sealed. 

I am looking forward to hearing what think and seeing your frame when you have tried - remember all those times you have determined to make a 'homemade' gift for birthdays and Christmas. You are one step closer to doing that once you have tried this AND I know from experience you will NOT want to stop at one!!

Please come back and show us your frames and feel free to ask me any questions.

MMSC42 With Love

Hello again what a week it has been, one of the highlights has got to be the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge !!  You know how much I love these challenges - ths particular one I have the honour of using this adorable DIGI from this week's sponsor Teri from Delicious Doodles. 

I had a lot of fun with this sketch and decided to use the same DP for the background and the panels, layering it onto white distressed CS to make it 'pop!'  Some of the panels are lightly sponged as well, I like the effect that is has by leaving some edges unsponged, it adds interest and brings a nice perspective, in my opinion.  Don't you just love those panels, this is one of my favourite sketchs and I know I will be using it again,,,,and again - Priscilla, you have outdone yourself this week my friend - I am loving it!

I have printed the image off twice and coloured it with chalks and a blender pen.  I cut out parts of the image on one of the layers and popped it up on foam dots, not only the rose but SOME of the leaves as well.  This was layered onto heavily textured back DP with some shimmer through it and was finished with red brads.

This last photo is just to show you that I made the rectange with the first image on it slightly smaller than the full image so that some of the leaves were hanging over the edges of the image and when I popped the rose up I didn't cover the whole rose with the foam dots, but added them to the outer edges and used double sided tape at the centre of the rose, near the leaves - so it was popped up at an angle, I used the same process with the leaves and love the effect, it was a little bit fiddlier BUT well worth the effort! 

So there you have it, this card is going to someone very special to me, I hope they like it! 

 Now here is what you are waiting for -  this week's sketch

Don't forget we are offering a CAS style sketch as well, so make sure you check it out here and remember - it is as 'easy as 1-2-3!'  Let's see what you can do!!!

A BIG THANK YOU to our monthly sponsor Cornish Heritage Farms, we are loving using their New Release Stamps and I know you have enjoyed seeing the Design Team projects, you can see all of their 'goodies' here.  Fabulous!

Cornish Heritage Farms

and our sponsor this week is Delicious Doodles, I personally have loved using your images Teri - they truly are DELISH!  You are going to want to see more and check them out here.

 

Delicious Doodles

Coongratulations to our Gold Star Winner:

#103 Sonya Appel

and the Remarkables Winners for MMSC41

#8, Darlene

#25. Gry-Beate

Well done ladies - don't forget to get your blinkie and display it with pride on your Blogs.  We love seeing every card that is entered into the Midnight Madness sketch Challenges, you may not have won an award this week, but be assured we have enjoyed every card and to us, you are all winners, there is so much talent out there, I am inspired by each entry and love all that you 'bring' each week - thank you so much!!  {{{hugs}}}

We are proud to welcome our March Guest Diva - Sue Drees

We look forward to having Sue with us in March, her work is so inspirational!!  If YOU are interested in being a Guest Diva, we would LOVE to hear from you!

Thank you to Cheryl aka Chercroppin' for her beautiful creations during February - we love your work Cheryl and look forward to you joining us each week! {{{hugs}}}

I am linking my card  to the following Challenges:

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge FTTC55 - Flowers

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Spring is in the Air

Stamp Something - A Touch of Sprin

Saturday Spotlight with Hidden Potential - Doing the Mess Around

Totally Gorgeous - Flower Power

By the Cute and Girly - Love

Creative Card Crew - Get Well Soon - who doesn't love flowers when they are sick!

Pile It On - Get Well Soon - That Rose does the rick again! LOL! 

CuteCardThursday - Metal - Brads

The Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Mother's Day

My Time to Craft Challenge - Green Plus One - Red (Black and white are neutrals)

Magical Craft Fortnightly Challenge - Something for Mum

Thank you for stopping by and for being such great players and supporters - you know I love to see you, you brighten my day - I LOVE visitors!!  I hope you are all well!  God bless you

Absolutely Fabulous!!

I would like to start this post by thanking those of you who came by and left such beautiful comments for my daughter, it meant so much to her to know that people care.  I treasure your comments to me as well and consider myself blessed to have you all as friends - it certainly brings so much shine into my life - thank you!  I am hoping this card will bring a smile to your face - especially when it is for  last week's Twisted Sister Challenge, where Teri (aka Brat Cards) set us the challenge to make a humorous card and to link it to a challenge as well....so I am making this one for the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge where it is 'All About Me' we are to use our favourite anything and everythings...so I thought this was a good one for me - I love humorous, Chalking, that gorgeous Hedgie, along with distressing, sponging......I would say that qualifies me for this challenge!  LOL!

I have used this gorgeous image from Cornish Heritage Farms called 'Skunky Hair - can't we all relate to that - not you!?!? LOL! Must just be me!!

I have coloured this adorable scene with SU Chalks/Pastels

and added the sentiment from PTI that I won in a Blog Candy - these are the best sentiments and I am happy to day that they fit beautifully in the Nestibilities Ribbon Tags - I am going to have to try and set some of their fancy ones - I have seen them on some of your cards and LOVE them - a MUST HAVE for me!! LOL!

I had a lovely surprise when I woke up yesterday morning I got an email from one of my DT sisters letting me know that i had won the 'Wags'n Whiskers Challenge with my MMSC40 card using their image, as Lacey was our weekly sponsor that week.  Have you seen their images - totally adorable - their artists are amazing, they capture the innocence of the children and the heart of the stamper...it was very hard to choose, but I did - finally - I chose 'Love You Sis' it reminded me of my girls when they were younger and made me think of my sister - I am the one with the hair 'do!' LOL!

I am also linking this to Our Creative Corner where they are challenging us to try a new technique - I have done 'doodling' for the VERY FIRST TIME on a card!!  Wahoo!!

Thank you for stopping by and for all of your comments, you make my day with your encouragement - I love seeing you have been! I hope your weekend was/is FABULOUS!!! God bless you!

{{{HUGS}}}

Just as a matter of interest, it is my turn to challenge the Twisted Sisters this week - what do you think I have challenged them to do!!?!?

Too Many Tears

On Tuesday our eldest daughter lost a close friend and has been devastated. I do appreciate the prayers for her, and love expressed to her - it means so much to her and us! I decided I wanted to make her something other than a card to have in memory of her friend James.

So I made this bookmark using one of my favourite Layers of Color art stamp sets, Gothic Crosses.  I added a RubOn from Stampin' Up, what was just perfect.

I stamped the cross onto the DP and then stamped it again on CS, cutting it out and popping it up on foam tape.  Fine ribbon was added through an eyelet and then I threaded two beads onto it.

I also stamped a SU Sentiment on the back and added the words 'Memories' and 'James'.....finishing off with the small flourishes from the Touch of Elegance art stamp set.  I am hoping this will be something that she will keep and will bring her some comfort, knowing that her friend James and his gift of friendship to her is remembered.

Before I sign off I just want to share with you what has been going on in my mind over the past few days....

As a parent it is very hard to sit back and let your child find their way through the grieving process, just guiding from the sidelines. Her friend was someone who she 'spoke' with everyday since meeting him, they laughed together and talked about the things they were going through, helping each other along in their own way! Her sadness is unbearable for her at times and it is early days yet....James has been part of our household in so many ways and I am touched by the impact that one life of just 17 years can have on a 13 year old girl - not in a romantic way, but as an older brother and much loved friend. This is even more amazing as it is someone she has met on facebook through friends - does this make her loss any less significant - I think NOT, infact in some ways it makes it deeper - as there is always the regret of never having met in person, the sad thing is that he was coming here to meet her in a few weeks....

This got me thinking about relationships we form on the Internet with people, how is it possible to never have actually met someone but to feel such a connection and to have a special place in your heart for them - I would say that most of us who cardmake and have blogs or Galleries on Community Noticeboards have come to care deeply for people and dare I even say it - LOVE them....these relationships are commonplace in today's 'techno' age, where we used to have penpals. I for one and so grateful for them, I have met so many of you online and you have made my life richer and I call you friend. We have share a love for paper, some of us share a faith and we have certainly shared our hearts - this gives me a greater understanding of the depth of loss my girl is feeling - I don't honestly know if I could be as brave as she is being.

Thank you for visiting and for listening!!  I always appreciate your comments, they make my day!  God bless you!

{{{HUGS}}}

LOC You Make Me Smile

I have another Scrapbook page to share with you today.  I have really enjoyed doing a few pages lately and it sure feels good to see the albums filling up, creating memories for the family.  This layout is of my youngest DD who wakes up smiling - 'Life is for Living!!  My DH took some photos out of frames to update them so I thought I would not leave them lying around the place (as you do!) and this is the result.

I used Layers of Color images, these work with scrapbooking so well, I love the feel they can create.  I have used one of the images from the Garden Borders art stamp set, I love these thistles, they are a bit different from the normal flowers and make it interesting!

I am loving flowers and wings together and just had to use the Beloved Wings set with this gorgeous Prima, once again from Sabrina (aka okimom2girlz)  I have used a Kaiser sentiment instead of a button or embellishment in the centre of the flower.....and how about the gorgeous DP - it is flocked, Laura from Layers of Color sent it to me and I just have to use it on Layouts - I love it!!

Butterflies are a 'must' with feminine Layouts - especially when they are as goreous as this one from the Flutterescent art stamp set.  I have chalked it and popped it's wings up on foam dots, placing it on the Swirl that has been coloured with distressing ink and of course...BLING!!

In the lower corner I have added more Prima' colouring them lightly with Chalks.  The gorgeous silver filagree button has been sent to me by my Mum, it was part of a tin of buttons that belonged to my great-Grandmother, they were very special to Mum growing up and she sent me a few when I started Scrapbooking!!  I have saved them for special projects, like my layouts - I wish you could see it IRL - gorgeous!

You know how it goes, add a bit of this and that until you are happy with the end result! I am hoping that DD2 likes it....my aim is to get together an album each for my kids and then just build from there!

I have been busy with a few projects that I can't show you yet, rest assured that when I am able I will give you the first look!!  A little hint - shhh -Laura from  of Color has been working hard designing some New Releases and we will be ssing them very soon - they are GORGUSS!!  I will SHOUT about it when the time is near!! 

I am hoping for a reasonably early night, I have said enough for now and must pack up and get some much needed sleep!  Thank you for visiting with me, I love it that you come and appreciate each comment that is left for me!  You make my day! God bless you!

{{{HUGS}}}

MMSC41 He is not Here!

Wahoo!!! It is lovely having you visit and you are just in time for the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge - comes around quickly doesn't it! It has been great seeing all of your cards, you are all so talented and I love visiting you each week and being inspired.  Thank you for your comments and support to me here each week - you certainly make my day, I love to see you! 

This week I have two card to show you, the first one I have the honour of using this gorgeous set from our Monthly Sponsor Cornish Heritage Farms called 'The Glory of Easter'  What a fabulous set, these stamps are such a pleasure to use, they ink up so well.

 I have stamped the image onto some sky DP and then paper pieced the 'tomb' on some paper resembling rocks.  The stone is backed with some thick CS to make it pop up a bit.  I had a bit of a chuckle when I went to stick the stone onto the image - I couldn't find it...but then I realised it couldn't keep HIM in anyway! LOL!  But as you can see, it did turn up and is now firmly in place!

The panels either side are distressed stripes - how appropriate with this Easter image - 'by His stripes' we are healed.....yes, they have been inked and attached with tarnished eyelets,  The photo corners have been added with brads.

I love this sentiment and used my Ticketed Punch (that my DH hunted 4-EVA to find me last year) and inked around it in Distressing Ink - you probably know this, but just incase I will tell you - I ink almost everything in Distressing Ink - I always have 'inky fungers!'

Now to show you this weeks sketch - this is a great one to work with and you choose this one or the CAS version here.

My second card is quite different, more 'whimsical' I love the fact that the same sketch can look so different depending on the image and youre creativity.  this darling little 'Eris the Elephant' ( well, maybe not so little IRL) is from our weekly sponsor this week, Angela at Sew Many Cards - Eris is just adorable and won my heart from the first clink on the site.

I have coloured her with SU Chalks and a Blender Pen, cut her out and popped her up on foam dots. The side panels are NOT INKED (imagine that!! LOL!) but are layered onto black CS, as is the main DP.

I have added ribbon and the gorgeous flowers that were sent to me by Sabrina (aka okimom2girlz) who keep me supplied with the white flowers - thank my friend - you keep me going! LOL!  I have added pearls either side to give the impression of corners!

Here in Australia we just LOVE baby elephants right now, we have had 2 babies born in our zoos in the last year - the lates addition is a little girl born earlier this year - awww - they are so adorable and we eagerly watch any footage of them we can - they bring our house to a stand still and to absolute silence - which is a MAJOR achievement at the best of times!

I am entering this darling girl in the:

Stamp Something Challenge - Something Cute

Tanda Teaser - Quick and Cute

A big thank you to our sponsors, our Monthly Sponsor as I have mentioned previously is Cornish Heritage Farms, who have been so very generous to the Design Team AND the monthly winner - you only have to play to be in the draw for them!

Cornish Heritage Farms

and our weekly sponsor Angela from Sew Many Cards - be prepared to be delighted as you look through her images - adorable!!

Sew Many Cards

The Gold Star Winner is:

#86 Holly Miller

The MM Remarkables are:

#56 America

#73 Tracy

#88 Darsie

#93 Nancy

Congratulations girls, don't forget to grab your badge and display it with pride!

Thank you for looking and for taking the time to make those lovely comments, I do read and appreciate each one!  Now, make sure you pop across to the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge  and remember it is 'as Easy as 1-2-3!'  I look forward to visiting YOU and seeing your gorgeous work - you inspire me!  God bless you!

{{{HUGS}}}